HEFEI, China, Sept. 17, 2025 — As a key event within the 2025 World Manufacturing Convention, the 2025 Emerging Air Economy Development Conference, lasting three days, commenced on September 5 in Wuhu, Anhui Province.
The conference, themed “Scenario Innovation Leads to Safe and Orderly Development,” put emphasis on policy and industry needs within the low-altitude economy. It included a main report session and various parallel sessions addressing key topics like low-altitude intelligent connectivity, international market demand, and aircraft production. The 30,000-square-meter exhibition space showcased leading companies and their advancements, key products, and application scenarios in the low-altitude economy.
At the opening, Wuhu City unveiled its low-altitude intelligent connectivity system. The National Low-Altitude Economy Integration and Innovation Research Center launched the Low-Altitude Economy Development Research Series. Furthermore, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), China Telecommunications Corporation, and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced significant progress in the low-altitude economy. The event also included the signing and awarding of major projects.
Anhui is the third province in China, and the only one in the Yangtze River Delta, selected for comprehensive low-altitude airspace management reform trials. Wuhu is among the first cities to foster the low-altitude economy. Over the past decade, Wuhu has expedited the growth of its low-altitude economy industrial system, gathering approximately 200 large-scale enterprises across the entire industrial chain, spanning from complete aircraft and drones to engines, propellers, avionics, and low-altitude operations. The city now possesses the capability to produce a fully domestically developed general-purpose aircraft. Recognized as one of the first 26 comprehensive demonstration zones for the general aviation industry in China, Wuhu is known as: “For large aircraft, look to Shanghai; for small aircraft, look to Wuhu.” In 2024, the total revenue of the entire industrial chain surpassed 46 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 15.9%, and it has sustained double-digit growth in the first half of this year.
Wuhu currently houses 90 provincial- and national-level innovation platforms within the low-altitude economy, including 14 at the national level. The city has spearheaded or contributed to the development of over 540 national, local, and industry standards, aiding in overcoming foreign technological monopolies and bridging domestic gaps in areas like general aviation aircraft, heavy-fuel aviation engines, and integrated avionics. Drones and general aviation aircraft have achieved complete domestic production of core technologies, with leading firms such as CETC, Anhui Haery Aviation Power Co., Ltd., and Huadong Optoelectronics emerging as industry leaders.
Moreover, Wuhu is actively working to position itself as an innovation center for low-altitude economy applications. It has launched China’s first long-distance drone logistics route and the first non-stop delivery service for ships along the Yangtze River. Several practical application scenarios have been developed, encompassing smart monitoring, sightseeing tours, and aerial firefighting along the Yangtze River.
Since 2022, Wuhu has consecutively hosted three Emerging Air Economy Development Conferences. This year’s event will continue to serve as a platform for collaboration on industrial resources within the low-altitude economy, enhancing regional industrial influence while promoting business investment, project implementation, and talent acquisition.
Source: Publicity Department of the CPC Wuhu Municipal Committee
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Zhai, Tel: 86-10-63074558.
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