China News Service:

This year, the development of the low-altitude economy has attracted widespread attention. We understand that the MIIT along with three other departments have just issued an implementation plan for the innovative application of general aviation equipment. What are your considerations and plans for developing the low-altitude economy? Thank you.

Shan Zhongde:

I'll answer this question. As you said, the low-altitude economy is currently quite popular, and provinces and cities such as Jiangsu, Shandong, and Shenzhen have issued relevant policies for its development. The low-altitude economy is a typical emerging industry, a typical representative of new quality productive forces, and an important direction for cultivating new growth drivers. It is innovation-driven, green and low-carbon, and integrates digital and real economy. Not long ago, the MIIT, together with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, jointly issued an implementation plan on innovative application of general aviation equipment (2024-2030), aiming to accelerate the commercial application of new-type general aviation equipment featuring unmanned, electric, and intelligent technologies, and promote the large-scale development of "low-altitude logistics distribution," "low-altitude urban air traffic," and "low-altitude emergency rescue," etc.

As we all know, the development of the low-altitude economy relies on advanced aircraft and requires digital-driven and internet-based support as well as communications. The general aviation manufacturing industry provides essential equipment for the growth of the low-altitude economy, while information and communication networks offer solid foundational support. In recent years, the general aviation equipment manufacturing industry, represented by drones, has achieved rapid progress. According to incomplete statistics, by the end of 2023, there were over 2,300 civilian drone manufacturing enterprises in China, producing more than 1,000 mass-produced drone types. In 2023, China delivered over 3.17 million civilian drones, with the general aviation manufacturing industry's output value exceeding 51 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 60%. Moving forward, to develop the low-altitude economy while balancing high-quality growth with high-level security, it is essential to enhance coordination among various departments and foster cooperation between central and local authorities. This will accelerate the creation of new growth engines for the low-altitude economy. The focus will be on following four key areas:

First, accelerating equipment innovation. Developing the low-altitude economy requires advanced low-altitude equipment, focusing on trends such as unmanned, electric, and intelligent technologies. This involves expediting breakthroughs in core technologies for new types of general aviation equipment, including key innovations in batteries and motors used in the aviation industry. The goal is to build a product system for low-altitude equipment that meets the needs of various application scenarios, characterized by low cost, high reliability, high performance, and high safety.

Second, strengthening application-driven development. By focusing on various application scenarios, such as logistics, rescue, and transportation, we will establish a demonstration system for multi-scenario applications in low-altitude settings, guided by the development of an industrial ecosystem. We will proactively cultivate high-tech enterprises and specialized, innovative "little giant" enterprises in the low-altitude economy. Additionally, we will accelerate the development of the industrial chain centered around the innovation chain, encouraging genuine integration between industry, academia, and research to better advance the low-altitude economy.

Third, enhancing technological integration. We will fully utilizing and leveraging next-generation information and communication technologies, digital technologies, intelligent technologies, and AI. We will accelerate the development and innovation of intelligent low-altitude connectivity technologies and models, providing robust support for building a future system characterized by safe and efficient low-altitude operations. By leveraging advanced equipment, network technologies, and application-driven scenarios, we can achieve significant progress in the low-altitude economy.

Fourth, strengthening standards support. We will accelerate the establishment of an industrial standards system that spans the entire lifecycle of low-altitude equipment, covering research and development, design, production, testing, verification, and operational support. We will collaborate with relevant departments to promote the construction of a third-party testing and certification system. We believe that the low-altitude economy is a major direction for the future development of emerging industries. It is destined to evolve into an industry with a trillion-yuan scale, significantly benefiting the public and better fulfilling people's aspirations for a better life.

That's all from me. Thank you.