Airshow China 2000 - the third show to be held at Zhuhai Airport, in the southern province of Guangdong - will again provide a platform for local industry to woo prospective partners.
After 1999's restructuring, China's industry continues to busy itself - under the government's watchful eye - by seeking opportunities to acquire technology. Industrial offset is a given in any procurement contract with a foreign manufacturer, while some companies are creating joint ventures and sponsoring aerospace research programmes in China.
The Zhuhai show, to be held from 6-12 November, will bring together all of China's aerospace companies, and most major international manufacturers, to talk business.
After the pandemonium of 1998, when public visitors flooded the exhibition halls on trade-only dates, "trade days and public days are to be strictly separated", says organising company, Zhuhai Airshow. It has designated 6-8 November as strictly trade-only days.
"Great efforts will be made in organising professional and trade visitors to ensure a profound academic and trading atmosphere for exhibitors to conduct technological exchanges and business discussions," says Zhuhai.
At the last show, in 1998, Zhuhai claims 500 exhibitors from 25 countries attended, with over 100 aircraft on display. This year the exhibitors' list includes most major international names - BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, EADS, GE Aircraft Engines, Kawasaki, RSK MIG, Pratt & Whitney, PZL, Rolls-Royce, Rosvoorouzhenie and many others -alongside the Chinese manufacturers.
The show site, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition Centre, offers 410,000m² (1,350,000ft²) of outdoor display area and three halls covering 50,000m² with parking space for 80,000 vehicles.
Russia "is the main marketing subject of Airshow China", the organisers say, adding that the Russian pavilion will this year be five times bigger than in 1998, covering 500m² .
In addition, the flying display will feature the giant Antonov An-124 transport, the Ilyushin Il-96 for the airlines, and the Mil Mi-26 helicopter alongside the Sukhoi Su-30, MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters.
Source: Flight International
