Both agreements are expected to have a positive impact on EU-China air links, create jobs, boost economic growth and enable cultural exchanges between China and Europe, as stated by former European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker (source: Shine). “These administrative and technical procedures detail how EASA and [China`s Civil Aviation Administration] will conduct the validation and mutual acceptance of civil aviation product authorizations,” the agency added. During the meeting, ESA and CAAC adopted the Technical Implementation Procedures (TIP) that will support the agreement, particularly with regard to airworthiness. These administrative and technical procedures describe how the two civil aviation regulators will conduct the validation and mutual recognition of civil aviation products. There is no doubt that The Chinese aviation industry will experience strong growth in the coming years and will offer foreign companies the opportunity to participate. But upon entry into China, it is essential for each brand to understand that China is a single market that requires a carefully crafted approach. Market profiling, distribution, channels, access to decision makers, after-sales service and training, pricing, trademark protection and promotion are just some of the aspects to consider for a China strategy. It is precisely for small and medium-sized enterprises that the costs and challenges of doing business in China can be easily overwhelming. Choosing the right local partner to succeed in China will be of the utmost importance. This agreement is the result of years of successful efforts by experts from the European Commission, EESA and CAAC. 1. Bilateral Civil Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA): mutual recognition of safety assessments and certification of civil aviation.

CAAC welcomed the “new stage of cooperation” between China and Europe. The signing created a “clear path for cooperation between authorities and industrial enterprises” in the two regions, which allows for “mutual recognition of civil aviation production” from China and the EU. In May last year, the EU and China signed the agreement to “support global trade in aircraft and related products” by eliminating “unnecessary duplication” in assessment and certification activities carried out by the relevant authorities. Aviation is the safest, fastest and most efficient form of long-distance transport. More than 40 million flights took off worldwide in 2016, ensuring that millions of passengers reached their destinations safely (source: IATA). In order to ensure aviation safety, international aviation safety standards have been established and must be properly implemented to ensure that they meet their objectives. However, in 2016, according to reports from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the global average of implementation of international civil aviation safety standards was estimated at only 63%. These estimates illustrate a lack of international aviation security in different regions, as not all countries are able to implement sustainable safety surveillance systems without delay, in accordance with international standards.

Bilateral aviation safety agreements can ensure a minimum level of safety between two countries or regions by allowing them to share airworthiness certificates for civilian aviation products. This allows them to contribute to the goal of implementing global aviation safety standards. The bilateral aviation security agreement between the EU and China came into force on 1 September.