China's top civil aviation authority vowed yesterday to further step up flight security management and create a better air safety record.

Air safety control has become the top priority for the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) in its efforts to reform the nation's civil aviation industry in 2004, CAAC's Director Yang Yuanyuan said at a news conference.

A three-tiered safety regulation spelling out responsibilities for top, regional and local safety supervision offices is to be set up.

Safety standards are to be upgraded and aviation businesses will be encouraged to adopt higher safety standards than required by government regulations to ensure safer flights, Yang said.

A system is to be established to inspect operational safety of foreign airlines that serve Chinese destinations to issue them operational standards.

"CAAC will make every effort to reinforce aviation security, step up security checks and keep improving detailed anti-hijacking plans while doing solid work in building an air marshal force,"Yang said.

Since the fatal China Northern Airline's crash that killed 112 people in Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning Province on May 7, 2002, Chinese airlines have boasted a safe record of 3.03 million continuous flying hours.

Service charges in airports are expected to be lowered across the country, he said.

When talking about the opening of the nation's fuel-oil markets the director said foreign capital is encouraged in the industry although the Chinese side must hold dominant shares in joint ventures.

Yang told the news conference his administration is considering trials of low-cost airlines in the country, though a disparity still exists in the industry on what a low-cost airline is and how such airline should be put in operation in China.

Two privately owned companies and a tourism service agency in the country have applied to establish such airlines.

(China Daily January 16, 2004)