China is racing to dominate the low-altitude economy — a rapidly emerging sector built around drones, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and smart aviation infrastructure. Introduced into policy discourse in 2023, the industry is now a strategic priority, featured in national and provincial development plans and poised to become a billion-dollar market in the next 5 to 10 years.
In late November, the second edition of AERO Asia wrapped up at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center in south Chinese mainland's Guangdong Province. The event recorded contract signings worth over 7 billion yuan ($989 million) and sold 837 aircraft across multiple categories. More than 380 companies from 22 countries and regions showcased new technologies, from general aviation to emergency response drones.
'This year’s show highlighted how fast the sector is maturing,' says industry analyst Li Wei. 'But scaling globally will mean navigating a patchwork of airspace regulations, safety standards and logistical challenges.'
International representation has grown. A themed conference on the sidelines drew over 300 officials, experts and business leaders from the U.S., France, Russia, Thailand, Australia, Cameroon and beyond. Participants discussed collaborative research, cross-border pilot projects and harmonizing certification processes — crucial steps for turning domestic success into global impact.
Behind the numbers lie real-world applications: drone-enabled medical deliveries in remote regions, aerial inspections powering industrial upgrades and eVTOL rides offering a glimpse of urban air mobility. Yet, experts caution that without unified international frameworks, scaling operations below 3,000 meters will remain an uphill climb.
As China readies its 15th Five-Year Plan to deepen support for the low-altitude economy, all eyes are on how domestic innovators will leap from local test zones to the global stage. Will regulatory reform and international partnerships clear the runway, or will fragmentation clip the industry’s wings?
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China bets big on the low-altitude economy, but can it scale globally?
cgtn.com
