Chapter 1568 "Spirit of Unity"

Brussels, South-Charleroi Airport.

An A330 passenger plane belonging to China Express Airlines slowly came to a stop.

The staff who had been prepared for a long time quickly arrived at the scene and rolled out the red carpet to the bottom of the steps almost at the same time as the gangway was set up.

A few minutes later, the hatch slowly opened, and a Chinese joint working group headed by Lan Xinzhi, deputy director of the Industrial and Construction Committee, appeared on the gangway platform.

Representatives from the European Commission, the European Central Bank and some member states, who had been waiting here for a long time, all focused their eyes on the leading few people.

The negotiation was of a very high standard, but perhaps out of concern for the negotiation cycle, the EU did not arrange any high-profile publicity.

Only some reporters from official news agencies appeared in the media areas on both sides of the red carpet, fiddling with sparse flashes and shutters.

The investment in China is certainly good news, but if it is hyped up in advance and the final results are not achieved, the effect may be counterproductive.

What's more, most of the European spectators are still immersed in the beautiful dream that "the situation is very good".

Of course, for those outside the media, the reception standards are still as high as possible.

There was even a small podium temporarily set up on the tarmac.

After a brief greeting, Lan Xinzhi stepped onto the steps and stood behind the microphone.

The landing speech was a segment that had been arranged long ago.

After all, given the current situation, it is the EU officials who came to pick up the plane who need more confidence.

“It is a great honor to be able to set foot on the land of Brussels for the third time as head of the delegation.”

Lan Xinzhi's voice was clearly transmitted through the translator:

"As two major civilizations and economies in the world, China and Europe have a long history of friendly exchanges and a long-tested foundation for cooperation... Today, we have come from thousands of miles away, cherishing this deep friendship and sincerely wishing to jointly meet current challenges and create a better future..."

These contents are all techniques, without any sincerity.

Even Lan Xinzhi, who was in charge of the speech, couldn't help but complain in his heart -

It is true that the relationship has a long history.

But most interactions have nothing to do with "friendliness".

There is no need to go further back. Just half a century ago, people were still fighting each other on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

Of course, no matter how much you complain in your heart, you still have to do the work to save face.

He turned slightly sideways and pointed at the huge A330 behind him: "This aircraft was not chosen randomly. It was the first A330 aircraft assembled in Luzhou, China three years ago, through close cooperation between us and our European partners. Its soaring in the blue sky is itself a vivid symbol of China-Europe industrial cooperation and technological integration, and therefore it was named 'Spirit of Unity'."

He paused deliberately to give the translator time to convey the key words.

It was not until this time that most of the people who came to pick up the plane noticed the unique paint job of the plane and the meaning behind it.

"The spirit of solidarity is the core belief of our trip,"

After catching this reaction, Lan Xinzhi continued:

"The Chinese delegation came with the utmost sincerity, hoping to have candid communication and pragmatic discussions with the EU and its member states to seek mutually beneficial and win-win solutions. We hope and believe that we can return with constructive results..."

"..."

This brief but highly informative opening statement not only reviewed the history of cooperation and pointed out the current context, but also expressed China's sincerity and expectations through the carefully designed visual symbol and name "Spirit of Unity".

Lan Xinzhi did not mention any specific conditions, but it was enough to trigger interpretations and expectations from all parties.

There was polite and warm applause at the scene, and many EU officials showed expectations on their faces, but more of them had complicated expressions.

……

After the tense appearance, the delegation quickly reunited with the Chinese staff who came to pick them up at the airport.

This group of people were previously in Brussels, responsible for the specific negotiations on the airworthiness mutual recognition agreement, and now it is natural for them to become part of the new delegation.

Without much greeting, the group boarded the vehicle prepared by the foreign affairs team and drove to the hotel where they were staying in the city.

Inside the car, the atmosphere immediately became pragmatic.

Li Junshan, the former head of the delegation, sat in the only row of seats facing the opposite direction and briefed the people who had just arrived in Brussels:

"Dear leaders, the situation is very close to what we predicted, and may even be more complicated. Under the dual pressure of debt and economy, the differences within the EU are not being bridged, but are being intensified, which has seriously hindered the final step of signing our agreement..."

He opened the tablet computer he carried with him and pulled up several documents.

"On the technical level, whether it is the airworthiness certification of the AE1500 engine itself or the technical clauses and procedural details on mutual recognition between CAAC and EASA, all the substantial obstacles that require professional capabilities to resolve have been completely cleared. It can be said that we are just waiting for the signatures and stamps on the last few pages."

As a business official, You Xu was not well versed in the technical details of aviation.

He was more concerned about the impact: "Comrade Junshan, what impact will this delay have on our actual business?"

"Very big."

Li Junshan's answer was very straightforward:

"Originally, AE1500 started installation testing about eight months earlier than its main competitor PW1200G, which was our key advantage in gaining market share. But now, this advantage has been reduced to about 60-80 days, and we can even rule out the possibility that the Pratt & Whitney-MTU alliance will be the first to complete certification and put into commercial operation..."

He was an engineer from the Aviation Power Group, so he subconsciously focused on the technical aspects and did not really answer the question to the point.

But You Xu had just arrived and was not from the Industrial and Construction Committee, so it was difficult to continue asking questions.

Fortunately, Ren Bingda, who was sitting in the back row, answered in time:

"The Airbus A320neo project has clearly chosen the AE1500 as the power source for its maiden flight, so the delay in engine certification has directly blocked the A320neo's airworthiness certification process, which in turn has affected the design progress of the next-generation A330neo."

After a brief turn, he went straight to the point that You Xu was most concerned about:

"Luzhou Aviation Industrial Park took a lot of effort to pass the first batch of production certification. Now it is the Asian final assembly base for A320 and A330. It is expected to produce at least 1/4 of the total output of these two aircraft. Equipment, materials and labor have already been invested. Every extra day of delay is a loss."

Now, the latter has an idea——

Luzhou's aviation industry complex has directly provided no less than 50,000 jobs and an output value of over 100 billion yuan. Its related supporting facilities have spread across the province and even the entire Yangtze River Delta. It has almost single-handedly brought the local GDP into the top ten in the country, finally making Luzhou, the capital of Anhui province, a well-known and real entity.

It can be said that there is no room for error.

Ren Bingda paused, and his tone became more serious:

"Also, the Shanghai Aircraft Corporation has actually completed the preliminary research and technical preparations for the new generation trunk passenger aircraft C919 at the beginning of the year, and is only waiting for the implementation of the airworthiness mutual recognition agreement to start the project. This will make it the first aircraft designed and manufactured in full accordance with the new standards, but now it is also likely to be delayed..."

"If the negotiations drag on for too long, the C919 will likely have to start development without EASA and FAA airworthiness certification, just like the C909..."

"..."

Although the level and image of China's aviation industry have improved significantly over the years, even some countries with close relations with China have begun to place CAAC certification on the same reference level as EASA and FAA.

However, for the mainstream commercial market, international certification is still a key point that most customers, especially those in the Middle East, need to consider during the decision-making process.

Under the same circumstances, products with all three certifications are more popular than those with a single certification.

What's more, products without EASA certification cannot enter Europe for operation.

There was silence in the car for a moment.

Lan Xinzhi never joined in the discussion, but just watched the streets of Brussels passing by outside the window.

The information provided by Li Junshan and Ren Bingda clearly outlined the heavy economic and political costs behind the technical problems, which added another burden to their shoulders.

……

After successfully checking in at the hotel, Lan Xinzhi specifically called Li Junshan aside.

"Junshan, are the hotel's security and anti-eavesdropping measures in place?" He lowered his voice to confirm, "Have all the rooms, corridors, and conference rooms been checked?"

"Don't worry, Director Lan. The security department has conducted multiple rounds of professional tests and confirmed that there are no problems." Li Junshan nodded affirmatively. "In addition, this hotel was temporarily selected from the three alternative locations one day before the delegation departed, which minimized the risk of being arranged in advance."

At this time, You Xu came over from behind.

After hearing the conversation between the two, he took over the conversation and said:

"Director Lan, judging from the nature of our negotiations and the cards both sides hold, the Europeans are probably more worried about being eavesdropped on than we are..." He had a knowing smile on his face, "So the hardware isn't a big problem. We have to remind our own people to be more vigilant and be careful with what they say and do, especially with some 'friends' who approach us proactively..."

Lan Xinzhi looked at You Xu with some confusion: "Director You, what do you mean...?"

You Xu smiled mysteriously, without answering directly, but just looked at the time:

"Soon, perhaps as early as tonight, you will be able to experience it for yourself..."