China’s industrial authority has convened its first seminar on strategies to develop the “low-altitude economy”, focusing on fostering relevant enterprises and infrastructure, as the sector currently lacks a mature business model.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Tuesday held its first meeting dedicated to the emerging low-altitude economy, deploying a series of funding projects to support its lofty ambitions in the sector that is seen as a new growth driver for a national economy struggling to find sources of momentum.

The low-altitude economy generally refers to activities within airspace below 1,000 metres (3,281 feet), including goods transported by drones on passenger flights and the use of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Its short range is considered ideal for the intracity transport of goods and passengers, such as from city centres to airports or busy locations that may be affected by road traffic.

Although the MIIT has yet to release detailed development plans, it has called on local governments to expedite infrastructure deployment for the low-altitude economy and to foster companies’ collaboration across the industry chain.

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China’s first civil manned airship breaks into country’s growing low-altitude tourism sector

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Additionally, the plan includes enhancing integration with artificial intelligence and digital technologies, alongside urging universities to establish low-altitude industry-related programmes to cultivate talent for this emerging sector.