China's aviation industry will develop rapidly in the coming five to 10 years, with its airport number increasing the fastest in the world, said Alexander Strahl, secretary general of the Airports Council International (ACI) in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

As the most populated country in the world, China has more and more passengers who are willing and able to travel by air, said Strahl at a press conference at which he announced the relocation of ACI's Pacific regional office from Vancouver to Hong Kong at the end of June 2004.

He forecast that the number of air passengers worldwide will double the current figure by 2020. In particular, the growth rate of passengers in the Asia-Pacific region will be much higher than the world average.

"Hong Kong is a dynamic city located at the heart of the region, one that will serve the Pacific region of ACI well as our membership base develops throughout the region, particularly in Northeast Asia and China," said Strahl.

"Since my travel in Hong Kong a couple of days ago, I have traveled to the Pearl River Delta and met airport officials. I have seen for myself the robust growth of the aviation industry round this part of the world. It is a good move for ACI to relocate its Pacific regional office to such a vibrant center of aviation and trade development," said Strahl.

ACI is the international association of the world's airports. Its prime purpose is to foster cooperation among its members and with other partners in world aviation, including government, airline and aircraft manufacturing organizations. At present, more than 1,500 airports have joined the organization.

(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2003)