The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has ordered communication between pilots and air traffic controllers would be only in English starting from 2017, the media reported on Tuesday.
Currently, air traffic controllers communicate in English with foreign pilots, and in Mandarin with Chinese equivalents, the China Daily reported.
Earlier this year, pilots from three Southeast Asia airlines said they hope all future communications could be in English.
The CAAC said English helps foreign pilots better understand the position of aircrafts.
The rule will cause big problems for Chinese pilots, as most have undergone only six-month English training.
The effective date will be announced later.
