China's aviation turnover will rank second in the world this year. China became the leading aviation nation in Asia and the world.

Li Yongqi, an official of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China made these remarks at the China Regional Aviation Forum.

He said since China implemented its reform and opening up policy, China's aviation transportation has kept rapid growth, with the annual growth rate reaching 18.2 percent, two times higher than the world average level.

China's aviation turnover ranked third in 2004 and is expected to rank second this year.

Li said China's aviation turnover was 12.25 billion ton kilometers in 2000, equaling one eleventh of that of the United States. However, the ratio rose to one fifth last year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2005)