Low-altitude economy refers to the economic activities and industries centered around manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operating in the airspace usually within 1,000 meters above the ground.
China's low-altitude economy is taking off with impressive speed. The Civil Aviation Administration of China estimates that the country's low-altitude market will soar from 500 billion yuan in 2023 to 1.5 trillion yuan in 2025 and as much as 3.5 trillion yuan in 2035.
This year, for the first time, the term "low-altitude economy" was included in the Chinese government's work report, signifying an official endorsement that has emboldened numerous cities.
China will develop general aviation and low-altitude economy, according to the resolution adopted during the third plenum of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee in July.
Low-altitude application scenarios extend far beyond commuting and logistics. In China's rural areas, farmers are easing the burden of labor-intensive tasks, with drones being used for fertilizing, pesticide spraying and seed sowing.
Data from China's National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Center show that the country now boasts more than 250,000 agricultural drones, a dramatic increase from only 695 drones a decade ago.
According to Xu Ning, an economic researcher at Nanjing University, the scope of the low-altitude economy is expanding quickly, from passenger and freight transportation and agricultural production to many other fields including leisure travel and emergency medical services.
"To realize the full potential, local authorities must tailor their strategies to nurture more application scenarios of the low-altitude economy," Xu said, adding that developing a low-altitude economy is not a 100-meter sprint, but a marathon.
Source: China Daily
