China's Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has signed an agreement of cooperation with the Schiphol Group which will include the development of Baiyun's commercial activities, including retail and food and beverage facilities.

Schiphol Group's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Pieter Verboom, and Guangzhou airport's Ceo Liu Zijing signed the agreement which the two parties say will form the basis of a long-term cooperation for commercial and non-aviation activities at the airport.
During the festivities surrounding the signing of the contract Liu Zijing referred to Schiphol Group's commercial knowledge and experience and the advantages this cooperation can offer, while Verboom expressed his appreciation of the friendly and amicable atmosphere between the signing parties and said to expect a lot from the cooperation.
In 2006, 26.6m passengers and 650,000 tonnes of cargo were transported via Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport which is one of the three most important airports in China (besides Beijing and Shanghai).
The airport's hub carrier is China Southern Airlines, partner of Air France/KLM. The airport expects to achieve a substantial increase in passenger numbers in the coming years, with 40m expected in 2010 and 60m by 2015.