Experts from China and the United Kingdom discussed ways to strengthen airport cooperation in the sixth Sino-UK Seminar on Airport Development Strategy, which began in Beijing Tuesday.  

UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said the UK and China had increased trade and economic cooperation in recent years, including in the field of aviation.

China's rapid economic growth promoted the development of airline companies and airports, said Prescott.

The seminar had been successfully held for five years since 1997, showing the government's dedication to developing civil airports, said Yang Yuanyuan, minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.

The seminar promoted exchanges between Sino-UK airports and gave an impetus to China's aviation development, said Yang.

During the two-day meeting, participants will discuss the development of civil airports, the relationship between airports and airlines, and ways to develop other services.

(People’s Daily November 12, 2003)