A number of Chinese aviation companies showcased their latest products and technologies at the recent AERO Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany, taking the opportunity to spread their wings across Europe.
Dedicated to European general aviation, the four-day AERO Friedrichshafen concluded on Saturday after attracting a record number of 860 exhibitors from 50 different countries,
Organizers pointed to the increasing number of Chinese participants present at the event, as more China-based firms look to showcase their technological breakthroughs on the global stage.
"We have a growing number of Chinese exhibitors individually across the entire venue with their own stands, but also for the very first time with the China Innovation Pavilion. They do a lot in China, but also of course globally. And I think here is the perfect platform to also showcase that," said Tobias Bretzel, the event's show director.
Among the exhibitors was Shangshi Aerospace, a firm which has been refining its innovative air engines over the past 16 years. With aviation batteries not yet viable for long-range, high-payload aircraft, the firm still sees a hybrid solution as the future.
"We call this a hybrid electric propulsion system, which is an electrified upgrade based on the traditional gas turbine engine. But it's for improving the efficiency, reducing the carbon emissions and lowering the operational costs," said Wu Qun, a representative for Shangshi Aerospace, as he demonstrated one of the company's engines.
The prevalence of Chinese companies at this event comes as China is encouraging aviation innovation by easing regulations and investing in infrastructure, especially in the fledging low-altitude economy, which refers to economic activities surrounding both manned and unmanned aircraft typically operating in airspace up to 1,000 meters above the ground.
This has provided a clear advantage for Chinese companies such as SkyeVTOL from the southern tech hub of Shenzhen to get a jump on its other global rivals.
"We have very good experience and very good supply chains in China. And also, we have very good application scenarios in China. We can do a lot of tests in order to accumulate the data and improve our technologies very rapidly," said Guo Liming, the general manager of SkyeVTOL.
But amid these developments, the trade event in Germany also gave Chinese businesses the chance to learn from the more mature European market.
"In Europe, it has the most highest standards in the world. So, we are here also to learn the information about the European market and to adapt ourselves to fit this market," said Robin Leo, a project manager of T-Motor, a firm specialized in unmanned aerial vehicles.
The strong Chinese presence at the aero show reflects a broader Chinese strategy not just to compete, but to collaborate, seek investment, gain certification, and expand their global reach.
The race for the sky is global, and Chinese companies are putting their mark on the future of aviation, not only with technological innovation, but also through investing in established global aviation brands.
One such partnership involves Austria's Diamond Aircraft Industries, known for its composite light aircraft, which was acquired by China's Wanfeng Group in 2017, while the U.S.-based Cirrus was bought by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft back in 2011.
Chinese companies show off latest aerial developments at AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany
