On April 16, CAAC and USTDA signed an agreement at CAAC headquarters. TDA expanded its commitment to the successful US-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) by awarding a grant of US$664,065 to CAAC. "That will help support capacity building in the Chinese aviation market, including more efficient airspace utilization and human resources development," TDA Director Lee Zak said. Lee Zak and Li Jiangmin, Director General (DG) of CAAC International Department signed the grant on behalf of the two countries. The total TDA Grants this year exceed US$1.3 million. A US$670,000 grant was signed last fall.

ACP Co-chairs David Wang and Pat Power, and 20 ACP member company representatives witnessed the signing.

DG Li Jiangmin opened the meeting by warmly welcoming the guests and introducing his team. DG Li explained Deputy Administrator (DA) Xia Xinghua’s absence. He was required to go to Yushu in Qinghai province for earthquake relief and left the day before. DG Li also expressed DA Xia’s high attention to the grant signing.

TDA Director Lee Zak praised ACP as an excellent platform between the US and China aviation industries. Lee also spoke highly of the three tasks of the grant, which includes EMDT (Executive Management Development Training), ATMET (Air Traffic Management Executive Training) and ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management). Director Zak made a special mention of EMDT; she was pleased to meet young Chinese aviation leaders in the US where the two sides learn and exchange ideas. She appreciates CAAC’s strong leadership in training new leaders. TDA is happy to be partner in the whole process.

DG Li Jiangmin brought up the cooperation of energy conservation and emission reduction between CAAC and ACP, and introduced Mu Yang, Deputy Division Director (DDD) of the Planning Department. Mu Yang said energy conservation and emission reduction is not only a hot topic, but also an internal need for sustainable development of the aviation industry. In-depth cooperation in this area is of vital importance to the US and China. China aviation is still developing, and there is plenty room for US – China cooperation. A US-China Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Forum, which will be held in September 2010, will be a good start for cooperation. Training on energy conservation and emission reduction for both high-level officials and working-level managers is critically important to raise awareness and implement good practices in strategic planning and daily work. DDD Mu wishes to cooperate with TDA and gain their support to carry out this priority work.