Shi Jianzhong, Chairman of the Shanghai Aeronautical Society, Head of the Expert Group of COMAC, and former Vice President of COMAC, and Professor Jonathan Cooper, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Honorary Chief Researcher of Airbus of the Royal Academy of Engineering, signed the MOU on behalf of the two societies.
Shi Jianzhong, Chairman of the Shanghai Aeronautical Society, said at the meeting: "The Shanghai Aeronautical Society and the Royal Aeronautical Society have signed a MOU to establish a formal cooperative relationship. This is an important measure for the Shanghai Aeronautical Society to strengthen cooperation with aviation societies in developed aviation countries. We believe that the cooperation between the two sides is of great significance to promoting international exchanges in aviation science and technology."
The signing of the cooperation agreement was witnessed by Chinese representatives including Fu Guoqing, Deputy Director of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, Chen Li, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, Pan Qi, Director of Academic Department of Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, Xu Qinghong, Deputy Director of Science and Technology Commission of COMAC, Li Hu, Director of Science and Technology Commission of COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Feng Jinzhang, General Manager of AECC Commercial Engine Co., Ltd., He Fajiang, Dean of School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, and British representatives including Mr. Gareth Taylor, Science and Technology Consul of the British Consulate General in Shanghai, Mr. Andrew Massey, Deputy Counsellor of the UK Department for International Trade, Mr. Wang Haijun, Director of Cooperation and Development of the Culture and Education Section of the British Consulate General in China, and Dr. Michael Galea, Representative of the Royal Aeronautical Society in China and Dean of Nottingham Aviation College Ningbo.
"I am very honored to witness the signing of the cooperation agreement between the two sides today. Behind this is the willingness and unremitting efforts of both sides. In fact, the exchanges in the aviation field between China and the UK started a long time ago and involved various aspects such as education, scientific research, manufacturing and trade. However, I believe that the cooperation link established through the bilateral association from today has filled the last gap, enabling the aviation industries of both sides to achieve truly complete and all-round cooperation." Andrew Massey, Deputy Counsellor of the UK Department of Trade and Industry, expressed high praise for the event.
Other important industry representatives attending the meeting included: Fan Hongxi, Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of Shanghai Aeronautical Society and former General Manager of Shanghai Airlines, Wang Guangdi, Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of Shanghai Aeronautical Society and former Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Airport Group, Wang Dawei, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Donglian Aviation Wheel and Brake Overhaul Engineering Co., Ltd., Oliver Greg, Vice President of Sales for Greater China at Rolls-Royce Engines Ltd., and Mr. Ma Yiming, Vice President of Customer Financing for Asia Pacific at General Electric Aircraft Engines Ltd.
"The exchanges and visits between the two sides can be traced back to the Farnborough Air Show in 2010, when the chairman of the Shanghai Aeronautical Society and his delegation were invited to attend a series of welcoming activities held by the Royal Aeronautical Society during the Farnborough Air Show and conducted on-site inspection visits," said Mr. Shen Wenjia, the China representative of the Royal Aeronautical Society, during the meeting.
According to reports, the Royal Aeronautical Society was founded in London, England in 1866. It is the world's oldest and most internationally influential aerospace professional society, dedicated to the popularization and development of aerospace knowledge and technology on a global scale. In addition to the Academic Council, Member Council and Professional Council, the General Association also has 23 professional branches, including: civil aviation transportation, airworthiness and maintenance, avionics and systems, general aviation, environmental design, aviation history, structure and materials, drones and other professional fields. The Royal Aeronautical Society has more than 25,000 professional members and more than 300 aviation enterprise members worldwide, and has branches in more than 70 countries and regions. Prior to this, the Royal Aeronautical Society had signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the China Aeronautical Society at the China Zhuhai Air Show in 2018.
