In July 2025, Beijing will host a summit between China and the European Union. The meeting, which will include President Xi Jinping, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to address key global issues.
A primary focus of the summit will be the certification of China's C919 aircraft by the EU. China aims to include civil aviation on the agenda to expedite the process. High-level negotiations on safety evaluations could facilitate the aircraft's ratification.
The summit presents an opportunity to review progress and strengthen consensus. Discussions may cover electric vehicle trade and potential punitive tariffs from the US. The Chinese aviation administration aims to secure European certification for the C919 by 2025.
The C919, produced by Comac, is designed to compete with Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series. Over the past two years, the C919 has flown routes to over 15 cities in mainland China and Hong Kong, carrying over 2 million passengers. A potential deal for hundreds of Airbus aircraft is also under negotiation, which could influence the summit's outcomes.
The summit's outcomes could significantly impact international trade and aviation standards. The discussions and decisions made will influence the future of China-EU relations and the global aviation market.