Drone delivery fuels logistics in China's Greater Bay Area

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smart and efficient drone delivery services are enhancing the logistics industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, an important economic zone in southern China, providing added convenience to people's daily lives. 

Every day, more than 20,000 items are transported by logistics drones at low altitudes across the area, with nearly 100 drones flying every minute on average.

Shenzhen Fengyi Technology Co., Ltd., a Shenzhen-based drone company affiliated with China's leading delivery company SF Express, has leveraged its intelligent control system to enable real-time tracking and efficient management of drone delivery.

"We've deployed more drones to increase the capacity of delivery services along intercity routes," said Zou Peng, a drone engineer at the company. 

The smart system manages the entire logistics process, from order taking, goods pickup to drone delivery. It uses an advanced algorithm to calculate the best route and timing for each delivery.

During the delivery, the system tracks the drone's condition in real time and monitors factors such as sea conditions (for cross-sea delivery) and wind speed, making adjustments as needed. 

Besides being powered with technologies like 5G positioning, AI, and big data, logistics drones used in the bay area also need to withstand harsh sea conditions, such as wind and rain, since the cross-sea delivery is more commonly needed there.   

Fengyi Technology's drones, made from carbon fiber composites and featuring a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design, are well-suited for operations in this region. They can also travel up to 120 kilometers on a single flight.

"Our drones can withstand winds of force 7 at sea and have completed over 10,000 test flights before entering service," said Sun Zhenyang, a drone operator at the company.

Currently, major cities within the Greater Bay Area are connected by a logistics network that supports drone deliveries at low altitudes. Customers can receive their takeaways delivered by drones within ten minutes at the fastest speed.

China is the world's largest producer of drones now, with a complete industry chain covering research and development, manufacturing, and application. Its relevant patent applications account for 70 percent of the global total.

Drone delivery fuels logistics in China's Greater Bay Area

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle