Drone industry diversifies as low-altitude economy takes off in Chongqing

The drone industry in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality is continuing to hit new heights with more technological breakthroughs and an increasingly diverse array of application scenarios, driving the steady development of the country's fast-growing low-altitude economy.

China has been making greater efforts to develop its low-altitude economy, which refers to activities involving both manned and unmanned aircraft operating in airspace ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters above the ground, recognizing it as a strategic emerging sector with huge potential.

Over the past five years, research and development teams from the Chongqing Yidong Technology company have been continuously working to upgrade their drone technology, collecting extensive terrain data and integrating their various innovations into the compact "Black Thorn" micro drone.

Since entering mass production last December, it has been deployed in several key roles including in building inspections, emergency response efforts in confined spaces, and in tunnel monitoring. As a result, orders have already reached 20 million yuan (over 2.8 million U.S. dollars), signaling the importance of the micro-drone industrial chain in Chongqing.

"We have overcome challenges in micro-nano drone propulsion technology, flight control system technology, and integrated navigation technology," said Le Fang, chief executive officer of the Chongqing Yidong Technology company.

Beyond achieving these technical advances, the drone industry in Chongqing is also moving toward more diversified applications across a wider range of fields, including some with potentially life-saving consequences.

An integrated air-ground medical logistics network in Chongqing's western Yongchuan District enables drones to rapidly deliver urgent supplies to hospitals, enhancing the efficiency of healthcare. Meanwhile, in the municipality's Liangping District, 20 medium-sized drones and 60 government-registered drones are already in operation to form a smart emergency response system, strengthening urban safety.

While many are being used for critical functions, drones are also serving more colorful purposes, and are even becoming a major tourism attraction in Chongqing.

Weekend drone light shows have become a regular fixture across the city since April, while one stand-out performance back in June featuring a staggering 11,787 drones set a Guinness World Record for an aerial image formed by the largest number of drones.

Following that mesmerizing show, tourists from across the nation gave their reaction to the stunning spectacle which unfolded above their heads.

"It's breathtaking, only the word 'breathtaking' [describes it]. This is my first time watching such performance, and I felt truly excited. Chongqing's drone show captivated me from the very first sight," said Li Yan, a local resident.

"The drone show really attracts tourists. I came from Shanghai. It's particularly stunning and incredibly cool. You can feel Chongqing's impressive development," said Hong Tao, a visitor who traveled from Shanghai.

"It showed me how technology brings joy to life. You can really feel how Chinese blessings are now expressed through such high-tech means. It's genuinely impressive. I hope this event continues, improves, and becomes even more beautiful. I'll definitely come back," said Shi Yanxia, a tourist from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

These diverse applications epitomize the rapid growth of Chongqing's low-altitude economy during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The city now is building a more complete drone industry chain, accelerating infrastructure construction, and improving airspace management. Back in June, Chongqing also issued the first batch of low-altitude economic application scenarios list, officially announcing 42 items in Chongqing's first batch of low-altitude economic application scenario opportunities list and 40 items in the capability list.

According to forecasts from China's civil aviation authority, the country's low-altitude economy is expected to reach a market size of 3.5 trillion yuan (over 491 billion U.S. dollars) by 2035, highlighting its massive market potential.

Drone industry diversifies as low-altitude economy takes off in Chongqing

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