A pilot with Tibet Airlines.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will require all communication between pilots and air traffic controllers to be in English starting 2017, according to leading aviation news website AINonline.

Currently, air traffic controllers communicate in English with foreign pilots, while in Mandarin with Chinese equivalents.

Earlier this year, pilots from three Southeast Asia airlines said they hope all future communications could be in English.

CAAC said English helps foreign pilots better understand the position of aircrafts.

The rule won't cause big problems for Chinese pilots, as most have undergone six-month English training.

The effective date will be announced later.