AviChina Industry & Technology
| Company type | Partially state-owned enterprise; publicly listed company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Aviation |
| Founded | April 30, 2003 |
| Headquarters | Beijing , China |
| Products | Aircraft, aviation support systems, engineering services |
| Owner | Aviation Industry Corporation of China (parent company) |
| Parent | Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) |
AviChina Industry & Technology (commonly known as AviChina; ) operates as a partially state-owned and publicly listed enterprise within the aviation sector, with its main office located in Beijing. Its core activities include manufacturing aircraft, producing aviation support systems, and providing engineering services.
This firm functions as a subsidiary under the umbrella of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
Background
Established on 30 April 2003, AviChina emerged from the civil division of China Aviation Industry Corporation II. At that time, it held the position as China's leading minicar manufacturer with a 41% share of the market and was the only domestic mass producer of helicopters and regional jets. While automotive sales contributed approximately 80% of its revenue in that period, the assembly of aircraft was anticipated to be the primary growth driver moving forward. AviChina maintained a 49% stake in a joint venture with Embraer for jet production within China and collaborated with both Sikorsky Aircraft and Eurocopter on helicopter projects.
On 30 October 2003, AviChina launched its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, successfully raising US$247 million.
In 2007, the company recorded a loss amounting to 1.03 billion yuan, largely due to underperformance in its vehicle segment—which included Hafei Automobile and Changhe—alongside declining profitability in its helicopter business. By 2009, AviChina withdrew from the automotive market by transferring Hafei to AVIC and separating Changhe, thereby concentrating exclusively on aerospace activities. The following year, management targeted acquiring full ownership of its parent company’s aviation equipment divisions.
In April 2018, AviChina ranked among Asia’s top stock performers, appreciating by 40% amid growing investor enthusiasm for Chinese defense firms during escalating US-China geopolitical tensions. Revenue generated from military contracts surpassed earnings from civilian lightweight aircraft production. At that time, Airbus held an equity interest of 11.7%.
By September 2024, Airbus encountered criticism related to its investment in AviChina due to allegations that AviChina supplied aircraft and weaponry utilized by Myanmar’s military junta against civilians. Various NGOs urged Airbus to compel AviChina to cease arms transactions. Subsequently, in June 2025, Airbus completed its divestment from AviChina. Prior to this, in January 2023, Norway's sovereign wealth fund had already withdrawn its holdings in AviChina over comparable concerns regarding Myanmar.