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US Airlines Accuse China of 'Harmful Anti-Competitive Policies'. CNN reports that the United States aviation industry has urged the Biden administration to pause the approval of more flights to and from China. According to an open letter, China's “existing harmful anti-competitive policies” are affecting U.S. airlines and workers. "The competitive disadvantage is harmful to the approximately 315,000 workers employed by U.S. passenger airlines that serve China." The letter, addressing Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, was signed by Airlines for America, an industry lobby group. Members of the group include American Airlines, Delta and United, along with other unions representing aviation workers. "If the growth of the Chinese aviation market is allowed to continue unchecked and without concern for equality of access in the market, flights will continue to be relinquished to Chinese carriers at the expense of U.S. workers and businesses.", Airlines for America open letter, via CNN. CNN reports that the Biden administration said in February that it would allow Chinese airlines to increase the number of direct passenger flights to the United States. At the time, U.S. officials granted Chinese carriers approval to make 50 weekly round-trip flights, increased from 35 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, over 150 weekly flights were allowed. China's Foreign Ministry defended the increased number of flights, citing a "consensus reached" in November between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT