GBA Seminar Explores Opportunities and Challenges in Low-Altitude Economy Development Across Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Region

2026-01-27 17:14 Last Updated At：17:28

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office holds seminar in Shenzhen to explore cross-boundary applications of low-altitude economy

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (GBA Office) held a seminar on the "cross-boundary applications of the low-altitude economy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: opportunities and challenges" in Shenzhen today (January 27) to explore technical developments and challenges in low-altitude cross-boundary air routes, the establishment of low-altitude management systems, the commercialisation of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft in the high-end cross-boundary travel market of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the future development directions of the low-altitude economy. The seminar attracted over 200 participants from Hong Kong and a number of Mainland cities.

Delivering a pre-recorded speech at the opening session, the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, said that the 15th Five-Year Plan clearly identified the low-altitude economy as one of the nation's strategic emerging industrial clusters for accelerated development, establishing it as an important engine for economic growth. The GBA, with its solid industrial foundation and strong economic vitality, not only provides fertile ground for the development of the low-altitude economy but is also well-positioned to be a global pioneer and pilot demonstration area in the low-altitude economy. The GBA covers three administrative regions, which offers abundant scenarios for cross-boundary applications of the low-altitude economy. As a core city and key driving engine of the GBA, Hong Kong is contributing proactively to the low-altitude economy area. Following the launch of the Regulatory Sandbox X scheme, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will issue the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy this year to promote Hong Kong as a hub for low-altitude innovation and applications through institutional innovation and technological advancement.

The Acting Chief Business Development Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Mr Oscar Wong, said that the HKSTP is a member of the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance to support the development of the low-altitude economy, and has been actively collaborating and communicating closely with the HKSAR Government and various stakeholders. This has enabled the successful launch of the first batch of pilot projects under the low-altitude economy regulatory sandbox, including food delivery via drones over Science Park and pharmaceutical delivery trials by another park company. The HKSTP looks forward to seeing more outcomes in the future.

The seminar was co-organised by the GBA Office and the HKSTP. Industry leaders and think tank representatives were invited to share their insights on the opportunities and challenges of cross-boundary applications of the low-altitude economy. The panel discussions were lively, with guests actively exchanging views and offering forward-looking suggestions that provided practical references for the audience, reflecting the sector's keen anticipation on cross-boundary operations in the low-altitude economy.

Secretary Sun Confident in Smooth Launch of $2 Flat Rate Transport Discount for Elderly

Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:

Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?

Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.

So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.

So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.

Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

GBA Seminar Explores Opportunities and Challenges in Low-Altitude Economy Development Across Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Region

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GBA Seminar Explores Opportunities and Challenges in Low-Altitude Economy Development Across Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Region

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