Tianjin, China — Earlier this week, Airbus expanded its investment in China by opening a second Final Assembly Line for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin. The project marks a new milestone in the European aerospace leader’s 40-year presence in China and reflects the growing confidence of foreign investors in the country’s resilient market despite global economic challenges.
The new assembly line highlights Airbus’ growing confidence in China’s aviation market, resilient supply chain, and pro-business environment. Over the past decade, Airbus’ market share in China has expanded from about 20 percent in 2008 to more than 50 percent today, making China its largest single-country market for commercial aircraft.
“We welcome the addition of Tianjin’s second line to our global production system. It gives us the flexibility and capacity needed to achieve our goal of assembling 75 A320 family aircraft per month by 2027,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. He described the rapid completion of the project—launched in 2023 and finished in record time—as a remarkable example of “China speed.”
EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo Albinana praised the Tianjin facility as a model of China–EU cooperation, combining design, innovation, and technical expertise.
Beyond aerospace, other multinational giants are also increasing their presence in China. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced new investment plans on October 15, while Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla highlighted that nearly 30 percent of the company’s global drug R&D had taken place in China over the past decade. Goldman Sachs President John Waldron noted that the firm completed several major capital market deals for Chinese companies this year.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the country’s actual foreign direct investment (FDI) reached US$708.73 billion over the past five years. Meanwhile, a report by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai showed that 71 percent of U.S. firms in China were profitable in 2024, up five percentage points from the previous year.
Despite global challenges, China’s economy continues to demonstrate strong resilience, with GDP surpassing 130 trillion yuan and expected to reach around 140 trillion yuan (about US$19 trillion) in 2025. On average, China has contributed roughly 30 percent of global economic growth annually, remaining a major engine of recovery and stability.
During a meeting with Airbus CEO Faury in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed that China will continue advancing modernization and fostering high-quality development, which will create vast opportunities for foreign investors.
For global enterprises facing uncertainty, China stands out as both a vital market and a dependable partner for long-term growth.
