CINCINNATI, Ohio - China's ambassador to the United States, Li Zhaoxing, visited GE Aircraft Engines' world headquarters here January 21 as part of a one-day trip to meet with more than 250 Cincinnati-based businesses.
GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) and CFM International* (CFM) maintain a strong presence in China, both through the county's airlines and through cooperative ventures. During his visit, Ambassador Li had the opportunity to view CFM56 production and final assembly at GE's Cincinnati facility. CFM56 engines are the most popular and most reliable engines operating in China today. Currently, 18 Chinese airlines operate more than 225 aircraft powered by GE/CFM engines; an additional 59 aircraft are also on order.
To support this fleet, GE opened a Spare Parts warehouse in Beijing in 1995, as well as the Aero Engine Maintenance Training Center in Guanghan. Since the AEMTC opened in late 1997, more than 1,500 airline service technicians have been trained. There are also GE-trained Chinese national field service representatives based at each airline operating GE/CFM engines. Last September, GE Engine Services launched an on-wing support center in Xiamen and is considering several additional locations throughout the country. Ambassador Li praised GEAE's overall strategy of increasing its investments in China, as well as the company's commitment to training and utilizing local Chinese nationals.
As part of its continuing investment in China, GE is currently evaluating the development of a joint venture with Xiamen Aviation Industries Company (XAICO) and Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (TAECO). Between 1986 and 1998, GEAE purchased a total of more than $60 million in Chinese-manufactured parts, and the company is committed to further enhancing its sourcing capabilities there.