Highlights of new quality productive forces: Low-altitude economy
By Yang Yang chinadaily.com.cn Updated: Dec 23, 2024
Low-altitude logistics distribution achievements
In August 2024, Meituan drones began food and emergency delivery services to visitors at the Badaling section of the Great Wall.
Meituan released the fourth generation of new drone models, focusing on the new multi-rotor models of urban low-altitude logistics distribution scenarios on July 5, 2023.
Meituan began self-developing drone technology in 2017 and sent the first order in Shenzhen in 2021, starting normal operations of drone delivery service.
On Dec 2, 2024, an SF Express drone took off from the Wuhan Blood Center, carrying 800 milliliters of "life-saving blood" for surgery to Wuhan Asia General Hospital, a journey that took only 19 minutes. This marked the launch of Wuhan's first low-altitude blood distribution route.
The drone is a product of Phoenix Wings, a cargo drone company of China's delivery giant SF Express. While approaching its destination, the drone can scan a QR code at the center of the parking apron to help it make a precise landing.
Supporting policies in China
National-level
- The concept of "low-altitude economy" was included in national planning in February 2021.
- The low-altitude economy was listed as a strategic emerging industry at the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2023.
- The low-altitude economy was proposed to be built actively as one of the new growth engines in the Government Work Report in March 2024.
- Clear requirements for the development of the low-altitude economy was put forward at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July 2024.
Local level
- The low-altitude economy was written into the local government work reports or relevant policies of nearly 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions since the start of 2024.
- Fifteen cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hefei have joined hands with enterprises to build a low-altitude economic ecosystem.
- Some local governments have also established special industrial funds to provide a financial basis for low-altitude economic development.
