China unveiled its technological prowess at the Silk Road International Exposition (SRIE) held in Xi’an City from November 16 to 20. The expo, now in its seventh year, showcased China’s advancements in aerospace technology under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With 16 Chinese aerospace companies and their value chain partners displaying cutting-edge innovations, the event served as a platform for international cooperation and the exploration of new business avenues.
FICZ Showcases Shaanxi’s Aviation Industry Potential
The Fuyan Industrial Cooperation Zone (FICZ), a local industrial hub, emerged as a focal point at the SRIE, exhibiting the region’s burgeoning aviation industry. Ma Yunfeng, senior director at the Investment Promotion Service Bureau of FICZ, highlighted the overwhelming response from merchants, including a delegation from the Ningbo Chamber of Commerce in Shaanxi. These merchants expressed keen interest in tapping into Shaanxi’s market, particularly the Xi’an modern industrial cluster represented by the aviation industry through collaboration with FICZ.
With research, development, and testing capabilities in aviation technology, FICZ has been making significant strides. Ma disclosed that the zone has introduced a flight test team from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) to conduct final test flights for China’s self-developed large passenger aircraft C919 and its derivative models. The FICZ is also on track to open a civil aircraft research and development center, with the first phase scheduled to be operational in the first half of the next year. The zone signed nine key projects during the exposition, underlining its industrial prowess.
As the SRIE provided a fertile ground for forging partnerships, another first-time participant, the Xi’an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), expressed its eagerness to break into the international market.
International Collaborations Soar to New Heights
The institute showcased its latest innovations, including vertical take-off and landing drones and rail inspection vehicles, demonstrating China’s commitment to global aerospace advancements. The event facilitated extensive opportunities for companies to establish connections with potential international partners. The Xi’an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute’s foray into the international market aligns with China’s broader strategy of fostering collaboration with BRI partner countries. Beyond aerospace technology, China has been forging robust collaborations in the satellite manufacturing domain, as evident from the participation of Beijing-based GalaxySpace.
GalaxySpace Unveils Cutting-Edge Satellite Technology
GalaxySpace, a leading satellite maker, showcased its prowess in low-Earth orbit satellite manufacturing. One of its models, launched in July, features a flexible solar wing and is equipped with stackable multi-satellite launch technology. This groundbreaking development supports China’s large-scale communication satellite constellation to be deployed in low-Earth orbit. Moreover, GalaxySpace is striving to integrate satellite calling features into mobile phones, a technology already making waves with Huawei’s flagship smartphone. The SRIE has evolved into a platform for in-depth exchanges among the Belt and Road participating countries, fostering connections in the field of satellite technology and space infrastructure.
As the curtains close on the seventh edition of the Silk Road International Exposition, China’s aerospace and aviation achievements under the Belt and Road Initiative reverberate globally. The collaborative spirit exhibited at the expo, exemplified by FICZ, the Xi’an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute, and GalaxySpace, sets the stage for continued advancements and partnerships in the dynamic realm of aerospace technology.
