Low-altitude biz high on Shenzhen's agenda

Strategic initiative to speed up growth of innovative technologies in sectors like eVTOL
Shenzhen has put in place a comprehensive plan to foster the development of various industries operating in the airspace just above ground level.

In a landmark move aimed at bolstering the low-altitude economy, the strategic initiative — spearheaded by seven key government departments in the city in South China's Guangdong province — seeks to accelerate the growth of innovative technologies, particularly in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector.

At the forefront of these policies is a commitment to encourage the industrialization of manned eVTOL and low-altitude aircraft.

According to the plan announced on Wednesday, Shenzhen aims to accelerate the development of enterprises engaged in the production and sale of manned eVTOL and flying cars.

As a testament to its commitment, the city is offering sizable sales incentives, with rewards reaching up to 20 million yuan ($2.83 million) per enterprise annually.

To boost the burgeoning low-altitude logistics market, the policies give incentives for the creation of new routes for unmanned aerial vehicles engaged in logistics and distribution activities.

Small unmanned aerial vehicle enterprises that meet stringent criteria and which have completed over 5,000 flights annually, are eligible for a one-time reward of 200,000 yuan for each new operational route.

Enterprises witnessing an annual increase of 20,000 flights are entitled to an additional reward of 400,000 yuan.

In addition to logistics, the policies aim to stimulate the general aviation short-distance transport routes.

Enterprises opening approved general aviation routes within Shenzhen and with an annual completion of over 100 flights can benefit from one-time rewards of 300,000 yuan.

Those that engage in routes across Shenzhen and Hong Kong, can receive a one-time reward of 1 million yuan.

To diversify the low-altitude economy and to promote innovation and versatility in low-altitude applications, the policies encourage exploration across diverse sectors, including unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and eVTOL in fields such as power line inspection, port inspection, aerial surveying, and agricultural and forestry plant protection.

"The low-altitude economy has been identified as one of the strategic emerging industries to nurture, as highlighted in the recently concluded Central Economic Work Conference. It is anticipated that this sector could contribute between 3 trillion yuan and 5 trillion yuan to China's economy by the year 2025," said Wei Jianzhang, vice-president of the Belt and Road Initiative's International Cooperation and Development Research Institute in Shenzhen.

"As Shenzhen positions itself at the forefront of this, the policies are not merely aspirational but backed by substantial financial commitment and with responsible units for implementing these policies, including different government departments overseeing the allocation of funds. It ensures that Shenzhen remains a trailblazer in the realm of low-altitude economic development," Wei said.

wangxu@chinadaily.com.cn