A pioneering factory producing flying cars commenced construction on Sunday in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in south China.
The manufacturing base, commissioned by Xpeng Aeroht, an affiliate of the electric vehicle manufacturer XPENG, is hailed as "the world's first mass-production facility for flying cars."
As detailed on its official website, the flying car consists of two parts: the ground module and the air module. The ground module carries the air module, and the two modules can automatically separate and combine. Additionally, the ground module is capable of recharging the air module.
The first phase of the factory, covering an area of 180,000 square meters, is dedicated to producing the air module for the modular flying car named "Land Aircraft Carrier," with a designed annual production capacity of 10,000 units, according to the company.
"Upon completion, this factory will featur several significant advantages: first, controllable costs; second, high efficiency; and third, consistency in production quality. This means that all production are under our control and ensures we deliver more cost-effective products to our customers," said Qiu Mingquan, vice president of the Xpeng Aeroht.
The "Land Aircraft Carrier," which completed its manned test flight in September, is scheduled to start pre-sales by the end of the year and the price is set at around 2 million yuan (some 280,520 U.S. dollars) , according to Xpeng Aeroht.
The vehicle's maiden public flight is scheduled for early November at the Zhuhai Airshow, and more derivative products are also anticipated, such as long-range, high-speed eVTOL aircraft that can address urban and intercity air traffic challenges.
Beyond personal use, the modular flying car has the potential for public services, including emergency rescue and sightseeing tours.
"In the past, aircraft used to be hard to operate, when you had to spend 20 or 30 hours or even longer to learn it. But with our product, you can handle it in just five minutes and become a know-how in three hours, as its single-stick control changes all the traditional operating logics for aircraft. Even if you don't know how to operate it, the vehicle can fly automatically," Qiu said.
Guangzhou is among a growing number of Chinese cities eager to tap into the burgeoning low-altitude economy. Its Huangpu District is home to more than 50 enterprises dedicated to this sector, encompassing research and development, manufacturing and application, officials said.
Flying car factory breaks ground in Guangzhou
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
