China strengthens technical ties with EAC
China says its decisions on foreign policy questions derive from the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
Ever since China formally joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, its economy has continued growing strongly and attracting much foreign investment, at the same time the WTO entry has meant that China’s “reform and opening up” are now institutionalized. The clearest signs of institutionalized reform and opening are the changes that have been made in Chinese foreign trade policy. China’s government is now opening up most of its industries to foreign competition, and likewise its investments abroad are on the increase, the African continent not being left behind. Of course Chinese products are not new to the East African region, brands like Phoenix bicycles, Diamond padlocks, Chinese herbal medicaments, Tiger torches, and martial arts entertainment, just to mention but a few; are household names in the region for a long time.
The Chinese delegation from CAAC and AVIC, consultant from ADSE, Executive Director CASSOA and Board Technical Committee – Regulatory members at CASSOA Head Office during the mutual consultation process, 21st July 2016.
In the spirit of the above background, China now plans to go a step further and introduce another of their product brand into the region – Chinese aircraft manufactured by Xi’an Aircraft Company – AVIC. However, procedures have to be followed as far as Type Certification is concerned. The EAC region being former colonies of the Western bloc, coupled with the fact that they are aircraft non-manufacturing States; by default subscribe to the American and British aircraft type certification process. Therefore there is need to perform a gap analysis of the FAR 25 (Western bloc) and CCAR 25 (Chinese) before the Chinese aircraft brand can be certified in the region. CASSOA engaged a consultancy firm, ADSE, from the Netherlands in order to perform an independent gap analysis between the FAR 25 and CAR 25.
The Chinese delegation visited CASSOA on 21st July 2016 to deliberate on the results of the gap analysis with the consultant and CASSOA. The EAC and the Peoples’ Republic of China engaged in a mutual consultation process which would pave way to the introduction of Chinese aircraft technology in the region. The process is expected to be completed in August 2016.