Low-altitude economy conference opens in Zigong

The 2026 Low-Altitude Economy Industry Development Conference opened Oct. 14 at Zigong Aviation Industrial Park in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan province, drawing representatives from more than 300 companies, universities, research institutions and potential users of low-altitude aviation nationwide.

Several major industry findings and innovations were unveiled at the conference. The China Center for Information Industry Development released the Research Report on China's Low-Altitude Economy Development (2026), which analyzes how the country's low-altitude economy has evolved in recent years and its market prospects.

Three keynote speakers addressed the industry's development, technological advances and operational safety. Dong Zhiyi, chief expert on the low-altitude economy at the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, spoke on promoting the sector's sound development in a prudent and orderly manner. Yan Chuliang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at Beihang University, discussed China's development plans for the low-altitude economy and advanced technologies for low-altitude equipment. Ma Jianxin, vice president of the Civil Aviation Flight University of China and a senior pilot, shared research and practical experience in ensuring the safety of coordinated operations involving piloted and uncrewed aircraft.

The presentations offered insights for local governments and businesses seeking to develop the industry and speed up the application of research results.

The five-day event combined conferences, competitions, exhibitions and business matchmaking. It featured 10 parallel sessions covering low-altitude logistics, policing, cultural tourism, emergency response and meteorology, among other fields. The conference aimed to connect industry suppliers with potential users and promote practical cooperation through keynote speeches, application-scenario presentations, case studies, company pitches and business negotiations.

Zigong also hosted the final of the 2026 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition for the first time in October. More than 6,000 students from 160 universities nationwide took part, adding a talent development and innovation component to the industry gathering.

The exhibitions at the conference showcased businesses across the low-altitude aviation industrial chain, including aircraft manufacturers and suppliers of aviation engines, power batteries, composite materials, testing and inspection services, and operational support. Seven Chinese low-altitude manufacturers also unveiled new products and technologies, highlighting recent R&D advances.

The conference also held public open days, giving visitors a chance to learn about the latest developments in the low-altitude economy and encouraging wider public awareness of and participation in the emerging sector.