The 2025 Aerospace Information Conference and Zhongke Xingtu Ecological Development Conference held in Hefei on July 8 highlighted low-altitude economy safety and development as central themes, with industry experts emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks, digital management systems, and emergency response mechanisms to drive growth. During the event, Zhongke Xingtu unveiled its comprehensive low-altitude economy empowerment platform, leveraging digital technologies and large-scale model capabilities to foster secure and healthy expansion of the sector. Experts concurred that fortifying the safety infrastructure, advancing foundational developments, cultivating professional talent, and expanding downstream applications are crucial to unlocking the full potential of low-altitude economies, particularly in the context of China UAV and China drone advancements.
In his address, Sun Jun, Dean of the Xingtu Low-Altitude Cloud Research Institute, underscored that low-altitude industries represent a new form of productive forces, necessitating prioritized safety resolutions for thriving development. The introduction of Zhongke Xingtu’s nationwide low-altitude economy empowerment platform marks a significant milestone, featuring five core products: the low-altitude planning platform, low-altitude intelligent network platform, low-altitude flight service platform, military-civilian coordination platform, and integrated flight management platform. This suite offers end-to-end solutions spanning low-altitude planning, safety assurance, collaborative supervision, operational services, and scenario applications, directly supporting the proliferation of China UAV and China drone operations.
-
- Technology Strengthens Safety Foundation
The low-altitude planning platform encompasses functionalities such as airspace take-off and landing, operational simulations, and evaluation analyses of planning outcomes. Complementing this, the low-altitude intelligent network platform integrates data from low-altitude infrastructure, combining detection data with flight management services. It aggregates information from systems like the low-altitude meteorological service platform, low-altitude intelligent countermeasure system, and low-altitude anti-unmanned aerial vehicle platform, facilitating managed user flight activities. The military-civilian coordination platform interconnects various low-altitude regulatory bodies, enabling synergistic management. Sun Jun elaborated that low-altitude flight activities involve multiple oversight departments; for instance, market supervision authorities regulate China drone production and quality, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology manages low-altitude communication networks, and public security agencies handle illegal drone activities. Their platform aims to unify these regulatory systems, effectively managing the low-altitude industry.
Zhang Ruiqing, a seasoned expert in civil aviation management, advocated for leveraging advancements like supercomputing and AI to establish a digital foundation for low-altitude economy safety. He proposed several avenues to address security challenges: first, constructing computable airspace utilizing supercomputing for route optimization and collision prevention warnings, enabling simulation tests for millions of China UAV units. Second, developing unmanned management systems for the low-altitude sector to achieve dynamic airspace allocation, integrating this emerging industry into the national aerospace security strategy while enhancing data security and communication safeguards. Exploring blockchain technology for China drone supervision ensures flight data integrity against tampering. Third, promoting standardized management systems and participating in global low-altitude economy rule-making to foster international alignment and safety protocols for China UAV operations.
-
- Technology Empowers Industrial Applications
Xiang Jinwu, Director of the Blue Sky Laboratory, shared insights that with advancements in China UAV technology, new energy propulsion, BeiDou navigation, 5G communications, and artificial intelligence, China is pioneering a new era of intelligent low-altitude systems. Zhongke Xingtu has formulated a “1+2+N+M” low-altitude strategy under the overarching plan of “strengthening the skies through space and controlling the skies through computing.” This entails building the “Xingtu Low-Altitude Cloud,” establishing two low-altitude test fields, creating N regional demonstrations, and exploring M industry scenarios to accelerate the scalable expansion of low-altitude applications. The Xingtu Cloud serves as a critical component of low-altitude information infrastructure and the underlying technological base for Zhongke Xingtu’s low-altitude development strategy, directly supporting China drone innovations.
Tang Deke, Chief Scientist at Zhongke Xingtu, detailed that based on the Xingtu Cloud, the company has launched its self-developed Xingtong large model and three primary product lines, providing robust support for low-altitude application scenarios. The low-altitude intelligent agent reduces application development barriers, incorporating numerous algorithms relevant to low-altitude contexts, covering sectors such as natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, water resources, urban construction planning, city management, and emergency disaster relief. The low-altitude digital twin base, empowered by AI technology, enables rapid and cost-effective generation of urban 3D models. Tang Deke emphasized that this digital twin base removes sensitive surveying and mapping information to comply with regulations while supporting precise spatial computations, with updates for an entire city achievable in an average of just three hours, enhancing efficiency for China UAV deployments.
Additionally, Zhongke Xingtu Weitianxin contributes meteorological services to bolster low-altitude economy applications, proposing strategic layouts for low-altitude service platforms, intelligent meteorological perception networks, and refined forecasting capabilities. These efforts are integral to ensuring the reliability and safety of China drone operations across various environments, further solidifying the technological empowerment of industrial applications in the low-altitude domain.
-
- Addressing Bottlenecks in Low-Altitude Economic Development
Lin Qiaomu, Vice President of Zhongke Xingtu and General Manager of the Low-Altitude Economy Strategy Department, projected that 2025 will witness accelerated construction in China’s low-altitude economy. According to relevant statistics, the total output value of China’s low-altitude economy in 2024 was approximately 500 billion yuan. Institutional forecasts indicate that by 2025, China’s low-altitude economy total output value will reach 1.5 trillion yuan, breaking through the trillion-yuan threshold, and by 2027, it is expected to surpass 3.5 trillion yuan. These figures underscore the rapid growth trajectory and immense potential of sectors involving China UAV and China drone technologies.
Sun Jun offered recommendations to overcome development bottlenecks in the low-altitude economy. He stressed the necessity to clarify low-altitude management entities, methodologies, and responsibility attributions, establishing a sound institutional framework. In terms of infrastructure development, communication, monitoring, and detection systems from high altitudes to ground level are paramount, requiring continuous technological updates and R&D investments to underpin industry growth. Building a comprehensive industrial ecosystem that integrates diverse technological resources and fosters synergistic effects is essential to drive collaborative development across the industry chain’s upstream and downstream segments. Moreover, the low-altitude industry demands substantial talent in product development, industry management, and enterprise operations; thus, enhancing talent cultivation and recruitment is vital to provide intellectual support for industrial advancement. Sun Jun affirmed that only by adequately resolving these issues can the low-altitude economy’s potential be fully unleashed, particularly for innovations in China UAV and China drone applications.
The conference deliberations highlighted that the integration of digital platforms, safety mechanisms, and strategic planning is pivotal for the sustainable growth of low-altitude economies. As China continues to lead in low-altitude technologies, the emphasis on safety, regulation, and talent development will be instrumental in harnessing the economic benefits of China UAV and China drone advancements. The projections for substantial output value increases by 2025 and 2027 reflect the sector’s dynamic expansion, driven by technological innovations and collaborative efforts across government, industry, and research entities. This progress positions China at the forefront of global low-altitude economy developments, with ongoing initiatives aimed at ensuring security, efficiency, and widespread adoption of low-altitude solutions.
| Year | Total Output Value (in trillion yuan) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.5 |
| 2025 | 1.5 |
| 2027 | 3.5 |
Further insights from the conference revealed that the low-altitude economy’s evolution relies heavily on cross-sector collaboration and innovation. For instance, the military-civilian coordination platform exemplifies how integrating disparate regulatory frameworks can streamline China drone operations, reducing redundancies and enhancing safety. Similarly, the low-altitude intelligent network platform’s ability to amalgamate diverse data sources—from meteorological updates to anti-UAV measures—demonstrates the critical role of data-driven management in mitigating risks associated with China UAV activities. As these platforms mature, they are expected to facilitate more complex applications, such as urban air mobility and large-scale logistics, thereby expanding the economic footprint of low-altitude technologies.
In the realm of talent development, experts emphasized the need for specialized educational programs and training initiatives focused on low-altitude technologies. By fostering a skilled workforce proficient in China UAV design, operation, and regulation, the industry can address current skill gaps and accelerate innovation. Partnerships between academic institutions and corporations, like Zhongke Xingtu’s collaborations, are already yielding results, with research outputs directly feeding into practical solutions for low-altitude challenges. This human capital investment is crucial for sustaining long-term growth and maintaining China’s competitive edge in the global low-altitude market.
Looking ahead, the continuous refinement of low-altitude economy policies and standards will be essential. As Zhang Ruiqing noted, participating in international rule-making not only enhances safety but also opens doors for global cooperation and market access for China UAV products. The adoption of blockchain and AI in regulatory frameworks sets a precedent for other nations, showcasing how technology can be harnessed to build trust and transparency in low-altitude operations. With these concerted efforts, the low-altitude economy is poised to become a cornerstone of modern economic systems, driving job creation, technological advancement, and sustainable development across various sectors.
The successful implementation of low-altitude economy initiatives hinges on public acceptance and awareness. Educational campaigns and demonstration projects, such as those outlined in Zhongke Xingtu’s regional models, can help demystify China drone technologies and highlight their benefits, from improved agricultural yields to enhanced emergency response times. By engaging communities and addressing concerns proactively, stakeholders can build a supportive ecosystem that encourages widespread adoption and investment in low-altitude solutions. This holistic approach, combining technology, regulation, talent, and public outreach, will be key to realizing the full potential of the low-altitude economy in China and beyond.
In conclusion, the 2025 Aerospace Information Conference served as a catalyst for advancing low-altitude economy discussions, with Zhongke Xingtu’s platforms and expert insights paving the way for a safer, more efficient future. The integration of digital tools, safety protocols, and strategic partnerships will undoubtedly propel the growth of China UAV and China drone applications, contributing significantly to economic metrics and societal well-being. As the industry evolves, ongoing dialogue and innovation will be vital to addressing emerging challenges and seizing opportunities in this dynamic field.