GCAA leads official delegation to China to strengthen ties

The visit was to enhance technical and commercial collaboration in the civil aviation sector, to push forward the UAE and China’s strategic partnership.

The UAE delegation included H.E. Badr Salim Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and H.E. Engr. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, along with senior representatives from the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE Group, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah (RAKDCA).

H.E. Saif Al Suwaidi said that cooperation between the UAE and China in civil aviation continues to grow steadily, supported by existing agreements and the strong bilateral relations. He stated: "We are working to expand cooperation with our partners in China, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, technical licensing, and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development of civil aviation systems. This visit represents a practical step towards establishing new partnerships that support the future growth plans of the aviation sector in both countries."

H.E. Badr Al-Olama said: “Civil aviation is a critical enabler of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation, and this visit reflects our commitment to building high-impact partnerships that advances technical collaboration, as well as strategic commercial opportunities on a global scale. Together, with the GCAA, and our partners in the UAE cand China, we are shaping a more connected and competitive future for aviation in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

H.E. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, said: “I was pleased to join the UAE official delegation, led by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, during the visit to China, a key step to boost technical and strategic cooperation in civil aviation. The program gave us insight into the latest aviation technologies, including flying taxis and urban air mobility innovations, and allowed us to explore collaboration opportunities with leading Chinese companies in manufacturing, licensing, and navigation."

He added: “At Ras Al Khaimah’s Civil Aviation Department, we are keen to build global partnerships that align with the emirate’s vision and support aviation growth to the highest international standards. We look forward to turning this visit’s outcomes into impactful projects that enhance the sector’s competitiveness.”

The visit began in Shanghai, where the delegation conducted high-level meetings and field visits with several leading Chinese aerospace manufacturers, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), TCab Tech, AutoFlight, and CETC LES. The UAE delegation, comprising senior representatives from GCAA, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE, and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, explored the latest developments in aviation manufacturing.

H.E. Al Suwaidi also toured COMAC’s production facilities and met with Shen Bo, Vice Chairman of COMAC, in a high-level discussion that reviewed the company’s forward-looking plans and explored joint industrial opportunities.

The final two days of the visit were held in Beijing, where senior officials from the UAE and China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) convened to discuss regulatory alignment, certification systems, maintenance cooperation, air navigation services, and institutional development.

The visit concluded with a high-level meeting between H.E. Saif Al Suwaidi and his Chinese counterpart, H.E. Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, attended by senior diplomatic representatives from the UAE Embassy in China. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to deepening aviation ties and outlined a mutual vision for future cooperation in the civil aviation sector.