Comac Chairman Proposes Expanded Cooperation with Vietnam in Aircraft Operations and Maintenance
On June 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) on the sidelines of the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum in China.
During the meeting, Shen Bo, Chairman and General Manager of Comac, proposed that Vietnam continue facilitating the company’s aircraft operations and supporting cooperation between Vietjet and Comac. He also expressed the company’s intention to expand collaboration in aircraft maintenance and repair, as well as in manufacturing and producing aviation equipment and spare parts in Vietnam.
Since April, Comac aircraft have been operated by Vietjet on routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Con Dao.
Comac was established to advance China’s commercial aviation industry. The company is best known for its C919 jetliner and the ARJ21 regional aircraft, and it is currently developing the wide-body C929 aircraft project, with an estimated total investment of up to 20 billion USD.
Comac Chairman Shen Bo at a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, June 26. Photo: VGP
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised Comac’s achievements in researching and developing modern commercial aircraft, saying the progress contributes to diversifying the global supply of commercial airplanes, advancing the aviation sector, and showcasing China’s high-tech scientific accomplishments.
He noted that Comac’s initial commercial relations with Vietnamese airlines provide a foundation for long-term cooperation. Vietnam, he emphasized, is continuing to improve its institutions and regulations in a more business-friendly direction, cutting red tape to foster the growth of its aviation industry.
The Prime Minister proposed that Comac work with Vietnamese partners to soon implement aircraft maintenance and repair services. He also encouraged the company to promote aircraft sales and leasing contracts, as well as cooperation in workforce training with Vietnamese airlines.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Lu Zhihe, Chairman of Pacific Group, June 26. Photo: VGP
During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Lu Zhihe, Chairman of the Pacific Group—the company currently involved in the construction of Tu Lien Bridge in Hanoi—said the group had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hanoi authorities on infrastructure investment and development for the next five years. The projects are expected to be worth several billion USD.
Lu proposed that the group participate in other major projects, particularly expressways, pledging to deliver model-quality highways and cut completion times by half compared to current projections.
Responding to the investor, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the group to accelerate the completion of projects already underway and to continue discussions with Hanoi authorities and relevant agencies on the possibility of joining other major infrastructure projects. The Prime Minister mentioned several key projects, including the road linking Gia Binh Airport to downtown Hanoi, Ngoc Hoi Bridge, the Van Cao – Hoa Lac urban railway in Hanoi, and the metro line connecting Long Thanh Airport with Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the group would prioritize workforce training, establish long-term operations in Vietnam, and ensure fair competition with other enterprises.
The Pacific Group is among the world’s top 500 largest corporations, specializing in investment, construction, operation, and management of infrastructure. The company has invested in more than 1,000 projects in China.
