On November 11, BAIC Group’s Beijing General Aviation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BGAC”) showed a strong debut at the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show. The company signed two major international cooperation agreements with New Zealand Pacific Aerospace Limited (PAL) and the Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland, marking the first step toward the formation of an “international general aviation enterprise.”

At this important international airshow, BAIC and New Zealand’s PAL aviation company formally signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement. Through the acquisition of the intellectual property rights for PAL’s P750 key product, Beijing Aviation will fill in the gaps as regards Chinese turboprop fixed-wing aircraft manufacturing. Moreover, witnessed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Beijing Aviation formed a strategic partnership with the Italian company AgustaWestland. The companies also released a Chinese marketing strategy at the occasion of the air show.. In the future Beijing Aviation will introduce a total of 50 AgustaWestland helicopters as well as training, spare parts and technical support to the Chinese market. The deal is valued at 400 million euros.

Thanks to these two high-profile international cooperation agreements, BAIC will obtain access to the world’s leading navigation, technical support and manufacturing technologies, making BAIC an international leader in the field. In the future, Beijing Aviation’s integration of global resources and the gathering of advanced technology from both domestic and foreign resources will enable the company to build a complete industrial chain in the field of general aviation.

China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (also know as Airshow China) is the only international aerospace trade show in China that is endorsed by the Chinese central government. It features the display of real-size products, trade talks, technological exchanges and a display of flying skills. Since 1996, the show has been successfully held nine times in Zhuhai in every even-numbered year. Airshow China 2014 will take place from Nov. 11-16, 2014.

Beijing General Aviation Co., Ltd.: A joint venture between Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and BAIC Group, the company will be mainly engaging in research and development of general aviation aircraft and related products. A strong focus will also be on manufacturing, sales, and service. Moreover, the company will provide technical advice regarding general aviation aircraft as well as leasing and related services. General aviation refers to civil aircraft engaged in civil aviation activities outside the field of public air transport.

BAIC Group: BAIC Group is one of China’s five major automotive groups. It is primarily engaged in vehicle manufacturing, parts, service trade, development and reform and adjustment. With its 11 subsidiaries, including BAIC Motor, Beijing Benz, Beijing Hyundai, Beiqi Foton, BAW and Changhe Auto, BAIC Group is one of China’s most complete and advanced automotive groups. In 2013, BAIC Group reached an operating income of 266.3 billion yuan. In 2014, BAIC Group ranked 248 in the Fortune 500 list.