China in 20yrs has 'poured more contract...than America did in the past 100 years': AAPA

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman, speaking at CAPA Airline CEOs in Sydney, stated (05-Jun-2018) the Belt and Road Initiative is a "China centric strategy", which touches 65 companies representing around 25% of China's foreign trade. Mr Herdman noted the Belt and Road Initiative encompasses transport infrastructure of all modes, including aviation, and other areas such as energy and communication. Mr Herdman noted that China added 203 new air routes under the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017, while acknowledging strong growth also in areas not covered under the initiative, with this strong growth supported by significant investment in modern infrastructure. Mr Herdman added that over the past 20 years, China has "poured more contract in that period than America did in the past 100 years".