The rapidly advancing drone delivery services in south China's Shenzhen City have enhanced delivery efficiency and promoted regional connectivity in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Known as the country's technology hub, Shenzhen is home to leading global drone manufacturer DJI and has introduced policies supporting the pilot development of logistics models integrating drone delivery and traditional methods.
In 2024 alone, the city launched 94 new drone cargo routes -- bringing the total to more than 200, with over 600,000 flights completed. The services are proving increasingly beneficial for short-haul, cross-region and city deliveries, particularly for delivering small and light items. "Drone deliveries are usually used to transport small packages like documents, normally weighing less than two kilograms," said Li Xin, a deliveryman.
While delivery companies can decide which packages are suitable for drone dispatch according to their specifications, consumers can also choose drone delivery services based on their personal requirements.
"I typically send about six or seven items via drone delivery every month. It costs about 30 yuan (about 4.24 U.S. dollars) to send them to Zhuhai City, which I think is acceptable when I prioritize efficiency and speed," said Liu Mao, an e-commerce practitioner in the clothing industry. "I use drone deliveries to transport documents and items needed for urgent contracts. Beyond work-related communications, friends and family also use drones to send fresh produce," said Huang Yanping, a user of drone delivery services. In Shenzhen, low-altitude logistics is used not only for express deliveries but also for transportation of food and medical supplies. In the first three quarters of this year, the city's civilian drone production increased by 46.9 percent year on year, with the commercialization of low-altitude logistics transportation and delivery services progressing rapidly. With the operation of regular drone delivery routes in the GBA, people commuting between Hong Kong and Shenzhen can also enjoy the delivery services near the border crossing.
Drones enhance delivery services in Shenzhen, promoting regional connectivity
China will continue deepening reform and expanding high-level opening-up to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world, while reaffirming the country's commitment to regional economic integration and inclusive globalization, according to Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce.
Wang made the remarks ahead of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which is being held from Friday to Saturday in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade, while imports from APEC economies totaled 1.5 trillion dollars.
The country's actual use of foreign investment from APEC economies reached 90.61 billion dollars, while China's investment in APEC economies stood at 136.58 billion dollars.
So far, China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies.
In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies, including Singapore and Peru.
"China has implemented the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement with high quality and actively advanced the process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), supporting the coordinated development and mutual reinforcement of the two agreements to inject momentum into the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. China has also proposed and promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the four major global initiatives, with the aim of advancing universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and addressing unbalanced development," said Wang.
Facing common challenges, China will continue to demonstrate its responsibility as a major country by further deepening reform and expanding high-level opening-up, Wang said.
He noted that China will continue to create new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world through new achievements in Chinese modernization.
China vows stronger support for APEC cooperation, regional economic integration
