On August 20, Juan Carlos Salazar, who took the office of ICAO Secretary General not long ago, held a video conference with Director Generals of Civil Aviation Authorities from the Asia-Pacific region, and delivered a keynote speech. Heads of civil aviation departments from 21 countries and regions, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and Nepal, made remarks focusing on COVID-19 prevention and control, the industry recovery, as well as the aviation safety and security. Cui Xiaofeng, Deputy Administrator of CAAC, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

Mr. Salazar said that the COVID-19 represented the most serious crisis and the biggest challenge in the development history of global civil aviation, and the ICAO has always committed to uniting its member states and the entire industry to make unremitting efforts to ensure the sustainable and safe development of global civil aviation and promote its recovery. The Asia-Pacific region is one of the regions with the fastest growth and the greatest market potentials. In accordance with the consensus reached by the Declaration of Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation (Beijing Declaration) in 2018, ICAO will work closely with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to continuously promote the safe and orderly development of air transport in the region. In addition, Mr. Salazar conveyed his high appreciation for the achievements in containing COVID-19 and in industry recovery made by CAAC, and expressed his gratitude for China's active participation in and support for the work of ICAO.

On behalf of CAAC, Cui Xiaofeng extended warm congratulations to Mr. Salazar on his appointment as the new Secretary General of ICAO and highly appreciated his efforts to resume global civil aviation. Mr. Cui said that COVID-19 has had a serious impact on world air transport system, however, ICAO has responded quickly, innovated its work methods and led its member states to deal with the risks and challenges, a full demonstration of its leadership in global civil aviation. CAAC has actively taken effective measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 through civil aviation and help enterprises overcome difficulties, so as to ensure the aviation safety and the stability of supply chain of international cargo transport, while actively participating in ICAO's recovery activities to share its experience and best practices in COVID-19 prevention and control. In conclusion, Mr. Cui said that the industry recovery requires joint efforts of all countries, and China is ready to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries under the framework of ICAO to promote the recovery and development of global civil aviation.