The media session to announce the construction of a general aviation town in Xinwu district of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu province was held on Dec 17. [Photo/js.chinanews.com]

A media conference to announce that construction has begun on a general aviation town in Xinwu district of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu province was held on Dec 17.

To cover an area of 3.86 square kilometers in Xinwu district of Wuxi, Shuofang General Aviation Town will provide landing and takeoff services for pilot training, low-altitude sightseeing, aircraft flight testing, and emergency rescue and air patrol, according to the conference.

Shuofang of Xinwu district in Wuxi is in the center of the Yangtze River Delta. The industrial town is planned around the Sunan Shuofang Airport in hopes of attracting aircraft assembly, maintenance and air logistics companies.

Mr. Luder Mattias (L2), vice president of Switzerland’s Pilatus Aircraft Company, gifts a traditional cowbell which represents courage and happiness to the Wuxi government. [Photo/wx.sina.cn]

According to the governor of Xinwu district, Feng Xiaochun, aviation is a good fit for the district's economy.

"The general aviation industry has a long industry chain and strong motivation, which makes it a typical sunrise industry," said Feng.

The general aviation town will be the sixth sunrise industry center in Xinwu district of Wuxi. The five other towns, launched last year, are for Hongshan IoT demonstrations, Huihaiwan new technology, Mengxi business services, Wangzhuang smart equipment and Meili culture.

Feng Xiaochun believes these six characteristic towns will bring fresh industrial innovation and development to Xinwu district of Wuxi.