China cultivates advanced productive forces through technological innovation
During the recent annual Central Economic Work Conference, China committed to actions aimed at harnessing scientific and technological innovation to propel the growth of new quality productive forces and establish a modernized industrial system.
TroibNews 
In a park located in Shenzhen City, situated in south China's Guangdong Province, a drone drop-off point has become a popular check-in location for residents. Users can conveniently order food and have it delivered via drones in as little as 30 minutes simply by scanning a QR code.
Chinese online platform Meituan has established around 30 drone delivery routes in Shenzhen, successfully facilitating over 300,000 orders to date. The areas serviced include office buildings, residential communities, popular tourist spots, municipal parks, and educational campuses.
During the recent annual Central Economic Work Conference, China committed to actions that will harness scientific and technological innovation to foster the growth of new quality productive forces and advance the creation of a modernized industrial system.
The low-altitude economy, encompassing both traditional aviation sectors and services powered by drones, is emerging as a key player in the development of new quality productive forces throughout China. This sector's importance was highlighted in the government work report for the first time this year.
**Navigating Low-Altitude Skies**
With a vast market and densely populated urban clusters, China’s potential in this arena is enormous. A report from a research institute affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates that the sector's value reached 505.95 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026.
China is increasingly utilizing various aerial vehicles, such as large airships for low-altitude tourism, unmanned aerial vehicles for express deliveries and urban transport, as well as aerial photography and emergency rescue operations. These vehicles are proving to be efficient tools in numerous activities and operations.
In February, a five-seat eVTOL aircraft successfully completed its inaugural intercity electric air-taxi demonstration, traveling from Shenzhen to a ferry terminal in the adjacent city of Zhuhai in just 20 minutes—a journey that typically exceeds two hours by car.
In August, a commercial passenger helicopter departed from an airport in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, en route to Shanghai Pudong Airport, achieving nearly 200 kilometers per hour in cruising speed.
Additionally, drone-operated "patrol teams" and "traffic police" have appeared in various cities, showcasing their advantages in accident management, order supervision, traffic diversion, and flow detection.
By integrating BeiDou communication technology, artificial intelligence, and intelligent image recognition, approximately 80 percent of drones can perform autonomous inspections, enabling personnel to assess on-site conditions remotely.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has reported that nearly 608,000 UAVs were newly registered in the first half of 2024, signifying a 48 percent increase compared to the end of 2023.
"The data indicates that China's low-altitude economy is entering a stage of rapid development," stated Song Zhiyong, the head of the CAAC.
**Boosting Innovation**
The recent economic meeting underscored the importance of progressive strategies for significant technological projects, urging large-scale demonstrations for the use of new technologies, products, and scenarios, while also promoting an AI Plus initiative. The goal is to foster industries of the future and strengthen China’s strategic scientific and technological capabilities.
To support this initiative, the government is directing resources toward the low-altitude economy. Currently, around 30 provinces have either incorporated the low-altitude economy into their local government work reports or issued relevant policies.
General aviation, a critical component of the low-altitude economy, has evolved over more than 70 years and is increasingly oriented toward market demands.
In March, China unveiled a comprehensive implementation plan focused on the innovative application of general aviation equipment, which was released in collaboration with four governmental organizations, including the CAAC and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
This plan outlines a series of key goals for enhancing the general aviation equipment sector by 2027, including significant improvements in supply capacity and innovation capabilities, and the establishment of an efficiently integrated industrial ecosystem.
By 2030, a new developmental model for the general aviation industry is expected to emerge, characterized by advanced technologies, intelligence, and eco-friendly practices.
"The low-altitude economy can not only achieve its own development, but also cultivate new business forms and drive emerging industries, becoming a new economic growth point," remarked Sun Weiguo, an official with the China Air Transport Association.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Chinese online platform Meituan has established around 30 drone delivery routes in Shenzhen, successfully facilitating over 300,000 orders to date. The areas serviced include office buildings, residential communities, popular tourist spots, municipal parks, and educational campuses.
During the recent annual Central Economic Work Conference, China committed to actions that will harness scientific and technological innovation to foster the growth of new quality productive forces and advance the creation of a modernized industrial system.
The low-altitude economy, encompassing both traditional aviation sectors and services powered by drones, is emerging as a key player in the development of new quality productive forces throughout China. This sector's importance was highlighted in the government work report for the first time this year.
**Navigating Low-Altitude Skies**
With a vast market and densely populated urban clusters, China’s potential in this arena is enormous. A report from a research institute affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates that the sector's value reached 505.95 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026.
China is increasingly utilizing various aerial vehicles, such as large airships for low-altitude tourism, unmanned aerial vehicles for express deliveries and urban transport, as well as aerial photography and emergency rescue operations. These vehicles are proving to be efficient tools in numerous activities and operations.
In February, a five-seat eVTOL aircraft successfully completed its inaugural intercity electric air-taxi demonstration, traveling from Shenzhen to a ferry terminal in the adjacent city of Zhuhai in just 20 minutes—a journey that typically exceeds two hours by car.
In August, a commercial passenger helicopter departed from an airport in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, en route to Shanghai Pudong Airport, achieving nearly 200 kilometers per hour in cruising speed.
Additionally, drone-operated "patrol teams" and "traffic police" have appeared in various cities, showcasing their advantages in accident management, order supervision, traffic diversion, and flow detection.
By integrating BeiDou communication technology, artificial intelligence, and intelligent image recognition, approximately 80 percent of drones can perform autonomous inspections, enabling personnel to assess on-site conditions remotely.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has reported that nearly 608,000 UAVs were newly registered in the first half of 2024, signifying a 48 percent increase compared to the end of 2023.
"The data indicates that China's low-altitude economy is entering a stage of rapid development," stated Song Zhiyong, the head of the CAAC.
**Boosting Innovation**
The recent economic meeting underscored the importance of progressive strategies for significant technological projects, urging large-scale demonstrations for the use of new technologies, products, and scenarios, while also promoting an AI Plus initiative. The goal is to foster industries of the future and strengthen China’s strategic scientific and technological capabilities.
To support this initiative, the government is directing resources toward the low-altitude economy. Currently, around 30 provinces have either incorporated the low-altitude economy into their local government work reports or issued relevant policies.
General aviation, a critical component of the low-altitude economy, has evolved over more than 70 years and is increasingly oriented toward market demands.
In March, China unveiled a comprehensive implementation plan focused on the innovative application of general aviation equipment, which was released in collaboration with four governmental organizations, including the CAAC and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
This plan outlines a series of key goals for enhancing the general aviation equipment sector by 2027, including significant improvements in supply capacity and innovation capabilities, and the establishment of an efficiently integrated industrial ecosystem.
By 2030, a new developmental model for the general aviation industry is expected to emerge, characterized by advanced technologies, intelligence, and eco-friendly practices.
"The low-altitude economy can not only achieve its own development, but also cultivate new business forms and drive emerging industries, becoming a new economic growth point," remarked Sun Weiguo, an official with the China Air Transport Association.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
