The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s first branch office is expected to start operation in Beijing during the first half of 2013, an official from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Wednesday.

Last year, ICAO decided to establish a branch office in northeast Asia to meet the region's surging demand for air travel.

With the approval of the State Council, or China's cabinet, the CAAC applied to ICAO for the establishment of the branch office earlier this year.

On Tuesday, ICAO announced that Beijing was chosen over Singapore, Seoul and New Delhi as the office's location.

The office's establishment in Beijing underscores China's efforts to promote cooperation in the global aviation industry, the official said.

The branch office will be in charge of airspace management in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the official.