China.org.cn | April 28, 2024
Chen Wenjun:
Due to time constraints, we only have time for two last questions.
China News Service:
We have observed that the low-altitude economy has sustained momentum since the beginning of the year. Notably, it was mentioned for the first time in the Government Work Report and the NDRC has advocated for the establishment of new growth engines, including the low-altitude economy. Could you provide an update on any current developments within the low-altitude economy and any forthcoming measures to be introduced this year? Thank you.
Jin Xiandong:
Thank you for your questions. Recently, people have been paying close attention to the low-altitude economy . This sector encompasses logistics transportation, urban transport, agriculture, forestry, plant protection, emergency rescue, sports and leisure activities, cultural tourism, and other sectors. It also involves high-end manufacturing, artificial intelligence and other industries. Characterized by broad service fields, long industrial chains, and diversified business formats, the low-altitude economy is emerging as a strategic industry with promising prospects. It is also a typical representative of new quality productive forces. Promoting the development of the low-altitude economy actively and prudently is of great significance and holds a bright future.
At present, China has a solid foundation for developing the low-altitude economy, which can be understood in three aspects. First, support policies have been well implemented. Relevant departments have introduced a series of management systems focusing on the optimization of flight activity approval procedures, airspace classification, and real-name registration of drones. Second, we have invested more on infrastructure in the sector. In recent years, various regions have strengthened the construction of low-altitude flight infrastructure. By the end of 2023, 449 general aviation airports and 32 flight service stations had been built and registered across the country. Low-altitude economic development scenarios have been explored and expanded based on local conditions. Recently, the Shenzhen-Zhuhai electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft completed its inter-city flight across the bay, drawing widespread attention. Third, we have the capability to drive the growth of low-altitude economy. China's new low-altitude vehicles are developing vigorously. In particular, new technologies such as information communications, the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, and high-precision navigation are widely used, and some enterprises' autonomous driving technology continues to advance, all of which will provide technical support for the development of the low-altitude economy.
At the same time, it should also be noted that China's low-altitude economic development is still in its preliminary stages and faces many difficulties and challenges. These include strengthening top-level design, improving safety supervision, enhancing infrastructure, refining basic rules and systems, and cultivating market formats. Next, the NDRC will strengthen coordination with relevant departments, insist on making progress while maintaining stability, and better coordinate high-quality development with high-level safety. The NDRC will promote a favorable environment with market demand as the focus, technological innovation as the driving force, and open airspace as the guarantee, aiming to create a good situation for the healthy development of the low-altitude economy, which will feature rich and diversified scenarios, smart and efficient supply, and safe and standardized supervision. Thank you.