Guangdong Unveils Draft Regulation to Boost High-quality Development of Low-altitude Economy
Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission launched a public consultation on May 30 for the draft regulation governing the development of the low-altitude economy, rolling out targeted institutional arrangements to tackle core bottlenecks constraining the sector’s growth. Sticking to tailored adaptation and progressive implementation, the draft rules set out frameworks for the orderly expansion of diversified low-altitude economic application scenarios across the province.
Sourced from Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the full draft regulation comprises eight chapters and 49 clauses, building a comprehensive industrial development system covering the entire low-altitude industrial chain. It targets robust growth in four core industrial segments, including low-altitude manufacturing featuring complete aircraft assembly, professional equipment, spare parts and special materials, as well as operational services ranging from industrial operation and public services to transportation and consumer experience. The document also underpins infrastructure and information service industries, while fostering supporting sectors such as equipment testing, industrial design, finance, insurance and exhibition services. Rational industrial layout and clustered development will be advanced in line with local industrial endowments and resource advantages across Guangdong.
Technological innovation stands at the core of the new regulatory framework. The draft regulation prioritises breakthrough research in key fields including aircraft design, core components, flight control systems, energy power systems, mission payloads and airworthiness safety. It encourages eligible regions to ramp up technological research, and guides universities, research institutions and leading enterprises to deploy cutting-edge and disruptive technologies. Deep integration of artificial intelligence, algorithm technology and other advanced digital tools will be promoted to empower the low-altitude economy’s intelligent upgrading.
In terms of scenario expansion, the draft advocates phased development of low-altitude application scenarios suited to local conditions. For consumer-oriented low-altitude businesses, cultural and tourism authorities at and above county level are encouraged to leverage regional tourism resources to develop vibrant low-altitude tourism programmes, including aerial sightseeing and flight performances.
As a national powerhouse in the low-altitude economy, Guangdong boasts world-leading market scale and one of the country’s most complete industrial chains. It achieves full local supporting capacity covering drone raw materials, chips, spare parts, power systems and airborne equipment. According to the2025 China Low-altitude Economy Development Index Report released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong ranks first nationwide in industrial strength, scenario vitality, development potential and guarantee capacity.
The province has laid a solid policy foundation for industrial iteration, having previously issued a series of supportive documents including the Action Plan for High-quality Development of Low-altitude Economy (2024－2026) and supporting policy measures. These initiatives have delivered tangible progress in infrastructure construction, industrial cultivation and scenario expansion.
The new draft regulation is formulated to address prominent industrial challenges and build a long-term sound development mechanism. The current low-altitude economic ecosystem faces inadequate low-altitude airspace opening, inefficient airspace utilisation, and fragmented infrastructure networks with inconsistent construction standards. It also suffers from imperfect supervision systems for drone operations, insufficient safety risk prevention and emergency response capabilities, as well as institutional barriers restricting emerging business formats. The upcoming provincial comprehensive local regulation will formalise effective policy practices into legal norms, further consolidate Guangdong’s leading industrial advantages and drive sustained high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.
