Aviation Industry Corporation of China

Aviation Industry Corporation of China is a State-owned enterprise and one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in China, with its headquarters located in Beijing. The company was formed in 2008 through the merger of China Aviation Industry Corporation I and China Aviation Industry Corporation II, with the goal of consolidating the country's aerospace industry and increasing its global competitiveness, as envisioned by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. The company's products and services are used by various military and civil aviation customers, including the People's Liberation Army Air Force, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China, with support from China National Space Administration and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

● History

The history of the company dates back to the 1950s, when Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai initiated the development of China's aerospace industry, with the establishment of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation. Over the years, the company has undergone significant transformations, including the merger of China Aviation Industry Corporation I and China Aviation Industry Corporation II in 2008, under the guidance of State Council of the People's Republic of China and National Development and Reform Commission. Today, the company is a major player in the global aerospace industry, with partnerships with companies such as Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin, as well as collaborations with Russian Aerospace Forces and European Space Agency. The company has also received support from China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China.

● Products

The company produces a wide range of products, including military aircraft, such as the Xian H-6 and Chengdu J-10, as well as civil aircraft, such as the ARJ21 and C919, with components supplied by Honeywell International and United Technologies Corporation. The company also produces helicopters, such as the Harbin Z-9 and Changhe Z-11, and unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the CH-4 and WJ-600, with technology from Israel Aerospace Industries and Northrop Grumman. In addition, the company produces aircraft engines, such as the WS-10 and WS-15, and avionics systems, with support from Rockwell Collins and Thales Group.

● Subsidiaries

The company has several subsidiaries, including China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, China National Aircraft Corporation, and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which are involved in the development and production of various aerospace and defense products, with partnerships with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Holdings. The company also has subsidiaries such as Avic Electromechanical Systems and Avic Aviation High-Technology, which are involved in the development and production of avionics systems and electromechanical systems, with collaborations with General Electric and Siemens. Other subsidiaries include Avic Capital and Avic Trust, which are involved in investment and financial services, with support from China Securities Regulatory Commission and People's Bank of China.

● Joint Ventures

The company has established several joint ventures with international companies, including Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin, to develop and produce various aerospace and defense products, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, with components supplied by Spirit AeroSystems and Safran SA. The company has also established joint ventures with Russian Aerospace Forces and European Space Agency to develop and produce spacecraft and satellites, such as the Tianzhou 1 and Gaofen 1, with technology from Roscosmos and Arianespace. Other joint ventures include those with Israel Aerospace Industries and Northrop Grumman to develop and produce unmanned aerial vehicles and missile systems, with support from US Air Force and NASA.

● Controversies

The company has been involved in several controversies, including allegations of intellectual property theft and cyber espionage, with accusations from US Department of Justice and European Union. The company has also been subject to sanctions and export restrictions imposed by the US government and European Union, due to concerns over its involvement in the development of military and dual-use technologies, with restrictions from Wassenaar Arrangement and Missile Technology Control Regime. Additionally, the company has faced criticism over its labor practices and environmental impact, with concerns raised by International Labor Organization and United Nations Environment Programme.

● Operations

The company operates a wide range of facilities, including manufacturing plants, research and development centers, and test facilities, located in various parts of China, including Beijing, Shenyang, and Xian, with support from China Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. The company also operates a global network of sales and marketing offices, as well as maintenance and repair facilities, to support its customers and products, with partnerships with Lufthansa Technik and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company. The company's operations are supported by a workforce of over 500,000 employees, including engineers, technicians, and manufacturing workers, with training from Tsinghua University and Beihang University.