2025 Conference on High-quality Development of Low-Altitude Economy in the GBA, Guangzhou, Guangdong on Dec. 25.
Government authorities from Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and Macao jointly released a comprehensive policy package on December 25, marking a coordinated push to accelerate the development of the low-altitude economy.
The announcement was made at the 2025 Conference on High-quality Development of Low-Altitude Economy in the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) held in Guangzhou, signaling a unified regional strategy to become a leader in this emerging aviation sector.
Cutting-edge airplanes were displayed at the Canton Fair Convention Center.
The new policies provide a detailed regulatory and industrial roadmap for businesses and investors. Key elements include an implementation plan for reforming low-altitude airspace management in Guangdong, a unified regional infrastructure map, twelve specific financial support measures, and the introduction of four new provincial-level technical standards.
On the operational front, Guangdong launched an integrated low-altitude flight management platform, with Guangzhou simultaneously rolling out its own municipal-level system. These moves highlight a strong commitment to building the necessary physical and digital backbone for the industry, encompassing flight base clusters and diverse urban application scenarios.
Leading names, including DJI, EHang, Xpeng AeroHT, and XAG, showcase their latest products at the conference.
This coordinated effort leverages the region's substantial existing industrial foundation. Guangdong alone hosts about 15,000 companies, representing roughly 30% of China’s low-altitude economy industrial chain. The sector is anchored by industry leaders such as DJI, EHang, and Xpeng AeroHT, and saw the production of 694,000 civilian drones within the province in 2024. The total industrial scale in Guangdong now surpasses 100 billion yuan, centered on core hubs in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai.
The conference served as a catalyst for strengthened cooperation across the GBA. Several project agreements were signed between government departments, key enterprises, and industry associations from Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai.
These accords cover areas from government-enterprise collaboration and alliance-building to joint research initiatives, all aimed at fostering an interconnected industrial ecosystem.
Representatives from Hong Kong and Macao emphasized their unique strengths in international connectivity, tourism, and high-end services, which are expected to synergize with Guangdong’s manufacturing prowess and technological scale.
Leading names, including DJI, EHang, Xpeng AeroHT, and XAG, showcase their latest products at the conference.
To accelerate innovation, the conference showcased the newly established Guangdong Low-Altitude Aircraft Mid-term Testing Platform and formally accredited a second batch of five provincial-level testing platforms. These facilities are designed to streamline research, development, and certification processes for industry players.
Leading names, including DJI, EHang, Xpeng AeroHT, and XAG, showcase their latest products at the conference.
The event also featured a roundtable with global entrepreneurs and scientists, delving into frontier topics including safety, regulation, and commercial applications.
Reporter: Huang Xinyi, Hu Nan
Photo: Guo Hongda
Editor: James Campion, Shen He
