China re-elected as Category One member by global civil aviation body

China has been re-elected as a Category One member of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council, recognizing it as one of the world's leading countries in international air transport, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Sunday.

This is China's eighth election as the Category One member to the council since 2004. The 42nd ICAO Assembly, held on Saturday local time in Montreal, Canada, saw 184 countries vote, with Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States also elected as Category One members. Category One seats are reserved for countries with a major role in global aviation.

China's civil aviation sector has seen strong growth in safety, scale, infrastructure, technology, and green development. In 2024, the country carried 730 million passenger trips, transported nearly 9 million metric tons of cargo and mail, and achieved a total turnover of 148.5 billion ton-kilometers, while its flight punctuality exceeded 80 percent for the seventh consecutive year.

The country's contribution to global aviation growth has exceeded 20 percent for several years.

A founding council member, China continues to promote safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation worldwide and actively participates in initiatives such as the council's "No Country Left Behind" program, the administration said.

The ICAO Council, a permanent body reporting to the assembly, is made up of three types of members. Category One states are countries that play a major role in international air transport. Category Two states contribute most to air navigation facilities, while Category Three states are selected to ensure that all major regions of the world are represented.