GUANGZHOU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's general aviation industry has maintained rapid growth in recent years, and the number of general aircraft will increase to over 20,000 by 2035, according to a white paper released Tuesday.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. released the white paper, predicting that a general aviation network will initially take shape by 2035, while the number of general aircraft will reach over 20,000 with the flying hours totaling six million hours per year.

In 2017, China had 2,984 general aircraft, and the annual flying hours of general aircraft increased from 370,000 hours in 2010 to 840,000 hours in 2017.

The white paper said that the Chinese general aviation industry has seen significant changes in business structures as short-distance transportation, low-altitude airspace tourism and business trips increase rapidly, while industrial and agricultural use decreased.

The industry will enter a fast-growing phase in the next five to 10 years as China continues to push forward the reform to delegate powers, strengthen compliance oversight and improve government services.

China is set to boost development of its general aviation industry to create a market worth more than one trillion yuan (153.8 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020.

The country will build new general aviation airports, bringing the total number to more than 500 by 2020, according to a guideline issued by the State Council, China's cabinet.

It also plans to increase the number of general aircraft, including helicopters and private jets, to more than 5,000 by 2020.