The Sixth China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, approved by the State Council, is to be held in Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong Province from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5.

China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (namely Air Show China), with the full support of China's Central Government, is an international aerospace trade show . It features the display of real-size products, trade discussion, technological exchanges and flying display.

The show will highlight the market prospects and cooperativ opportunities in China for aviation and aerospace manufacturing industries, civil transport industry, general aviation, aviation infrastructure construction, aviation safety, space exploration, missile weapons and other related fields. It will provide favorable conditions for technical exchanges and trade cooperation among aerospace enterprises all over the world.

At present, the preparation work for Airshow China 2006 is well under way. The number of participating countries and companies, as well as their participating scale is promising to surpass that of Airshow China 2004. By the end of June 2006, more than 23 participating countries and regions have been registered. It is estimated that the net exhibition area will exceed 17,000 sqm, About 600 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions with about 50 aircraft will attend the show.

So far, a great  number of world-leading aerospace companies and trade associations such as BOEING, EADS, AIRBUS, SAMITHS AEROSPACE, ROLLS ROYCE, CFM NTERNATIONAL, IAE, GE, SAFRAN, BOMBARDIER, UTC,, HTA, EMBRAER, MTU, AVIAEXPORT, MIG, ROSOBORONEXPORT and GIFAS have signed up for the show. Some of them have increased their exhibiting space considerably.

With the rapid development of China's aerospace industries, many domestic aerospace companies are eager to attend Airshow China 2006. Civil Aviation Administration of China, China Aviation Industry Corporation I, China Aviation Industry Corporation II, China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation, and China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation are organizing their member companies to the show.  And they have each booked 1,700 sqm. exhibit space, making a total of 7,700 sqm.  It is expected that 8 to 10 latest homemade military and civil aircrafts, the recovery capsule of Shenzhou VI as well as missile weapon systems will be on display.

There will also be a great breakthrough in aircraft display. Many types of aircraft are expected at the show, including large and medium commercial aircraft, transporters,  executive aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters, fighters, UAVs, light aircraft and airships. Besides domestic aircraft, Embraer's E-190 passenger jet, Tupolev's 204-120CE transporter will make their debut at the show. Bombardier's latest business aircraft and regional aircraft are also expected in addition to some latest Russian military aircraft. Furthermore, small aircraft manufacturers from China, the US, Austria, Hungary Czech Republic and other countries have showed great interest in the show, and the participation of small aircraft is likely to become a new spotlight of the show.

Aerobatic flying has been one of the important parts of Airshow China.  The organizer of Airshow China 2006 is now in discussion with the Chinese Air Force "August 1st" Aerobatic Team and Parachutes Jumping Team, Russian Air Force "Knights" aerobatic team and British Yakovlevs Aerobatic Team.

To enlarge the platform for more enterprises to showcase their , products, the organizer is again joining efforts with professional show organizer on an "Airport Expo" , which will attract a lot more exhibitors in the related field. Meanwhile, a series of activities, including a get-together of astronauts from around the world, have been initiated in a view to enhancing the aerospace cultural atmosphere of the show.

On the eve of Airshow China 2006, Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense will continue to work with Civil Aviation Administration of China to  co-organize “2006 China International Aviation & Aerospace Summit Forum” in Zhuhai.  The forum is aimed at constructing a platform of communications in the aviation and aerospace field, and providing in-depth communication opportunities for governments and enterprises. The topics of the forum include two. One is about related Chinese government department's views on the development of China's aerospace and air transport industries. The other is a  discussion on hot issues in the related fields. At the same time, there will be a sub-forum about helicopter industry. The forum will invite top government and military leaders, top officials of famous aviation & aerospace organizations, enterprise presidents, leaders of the user units of aviation & aerospace products, trade elites,etc. to make in-depth exchanges of ideas on the market opportunities and hot issues of the present aviation & aerospace industry.

(China.org.cn July 27, 2006)