Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 23, 2007 U.S. and China Initial Aviation Liberalization AgreementCivil-aviation negotiators from the United States and China have reached agreement in principle to amend their bilateral air services agreement to allow significantly expanded air service between the two countries. The new, phased agreement, expected to receive final approval by the two governments soon, will: Negotiators initialed the agreement in Washington on the eve of the second Ministerial meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). The U.S. Department of State and the Civil Aviation Administration of China co-chaired the four rounds of negotiations, which lasted more than one year. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Chinese Aviation Minister Yang Yuanyuan agreed to the final structure of the agreement in a bilateral meeting May 21, and Secretary Peters announced the agreement at the SED on May 22. The new agreement will bring significant economic benefits to the U.S. aviation industry, passengers, shippers and local communities. It is an important step to facilitate trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the U.S. and China. Questions concerning this agreement may be directed to Mr. Tom Engle, Director, Office of Aviation Negotiations, U.S. Department of State, phone: 202-647-5865. 2007/414 |