[Video] Will China fly high with its low-altitude economy?

In China’s growing low-altitude economy, covering activities up to 1,000 metres above ground, manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) alike are bringing convenience and new experiences to people. 

In cities like Shenzhen and Beijing, food can be delivered by drone, while in places like Shanghai and Jiangsu, one can take a helicopter tour or travel by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, commonly known as flying taxis. These aerial vehicles are also widely used across China for emergency operations, such as medical rescues, blood deliveries, firefighting and traffic patrols.

However, as these innovations begin to take shape, opinions remain divided. While some people are eager to try them, others raise concerns over safety, criticising the uneven development across regions and lamenting the high costs of these emerging services.

Despite this, the government and developers remain optimistic about China’s low-altitude economy. Currently, over 14,000 drone companies in China hold valid civil unmanned aircraft operation certificates, with more than 225,000 people licensed as drone operators. Last year, China’s low-altitude economy surpassed 500 billion RMB and this figure is projected to reach 2 trillion RMB by 2030.

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