Embraer is opening its first wholly owned subsidiary in China. Embraer China Aircraft Technical Services (ECA) will be based in Beijing and the company estimates the project will cost about $18 million. Embraer has had a presence in China since May 2000, when it opened an office in Beijing as a first step toward eventually establishing a technical services facility. The focus of the initiative was to develop market strategy, guarantee after-sale services and promote products and industrial cooperation with Chinese aviation pioneers. “With our customer base continuing to expand in China we decided to create ECA. The business scope covers logistics and parts sales, as well as consulting services regarding technical issues and flight operations,” said Guan Dongyuan, president of Embraer China and CEO of ECA. “The establishment of ECA demonstrates our long-term commitment [to] and confidence in the growing Chinese aviation market.” According to the company there are currently more than 70 Embraer aircraft in service in the country and firm orders for 105 more.