Trust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification - CleanTechnica

The article "Trust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification" highlights a significant shift in global aviation regulatory trust from traditional Western authorities like the FAA and EASA toward China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC). This transition is exemplified by Brunei’s recent decision to recognize CAAC airworthiness rules, marking the first Southeast Asian country to do so. Vietnam has also indicated openness to accepting Chinese-certified aircraft. These moves reflect a broader trend where CAAC certifications for passenger, cargo, and emerging electric and hybrid aircraft are increasingly accepted worldwide, except notably in Europe and the United States. This shift is driven by China’s expanding domestic aviation market, its growing manufacturing capabilities, and its global infrastructure investments, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, which has seen China finance or build around sixty airports across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The article emphasizes that China’s influence extends beyond aircraft manufacturing to creating an integrated aviation ecosystem abroad, including infrastructure, data systems, and