AVIC Welcomes Cheng Fubo as New Chairman, Signaling a Shift in Leadership for China's Aviation Giant

Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), China's foremost aircraft manufacturer, has announced a new chairman. The state-owned defense conglomerate revealed the appointment through information published on its website.

The newly appointed chairman is Cheng Fubo, a 54-year-old native of Chongqing. Prior to this role, Cheng served as the chairman of China North Industries Group Corp, the largest developer of land armaments in the country.

Cheng's career began in 1992 after graduating from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He started on the assembly line at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, a major combat plane manufacturer and an AVIC subsidiary. He progressed through the company's ranks, eventually becoming its chairman in 2013.

In 2018, Cheng transitioned to Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, the nation's jetliner maker, where he held the position of deputy general manager. In the summer of 2020, he entered government service as a vice-governor of Shaanxi province. He later became head of the organization department under the provincial Party committee, a position he held until late 2022, when he was appointed to the same role in Guangdong province.

After 17 months in Guangdong, Cheng received a new assignment in April 2024, returning him to the defense sector as chairman of China North Industries Group Corp.

The previous chairman of AVIC was Zhou Xinmin, who assumed the role in March 2024, having previously served as vice-chairman and general manager of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China.