The Changying-8 cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the world's largest of its kind, successfully completed its maiden flight at an airport in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, on Tuesday.
The fixed-wing cargo UAV needed only 280 meters to climb off the ground before successfully verifying the operation of various sub-systems such as intelligent flight control, avionics, power fuel, and flight quality.
Developed by Beijing Beifang Changying UAV Technology Co., Ltd., the drone has an ultra-large cargo compartment with a volume of 18 cubic meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 7 tonnes, and a maximum payload capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
"Firstly, the Changying-8 cargo UAV has strong payload capacity, with a maximum takeoff weight of 7 tonnes. Secondly, it has high loading efficiency. We use a design with dual cabin doors at the front and rear that run through the cargo hold. The internal space reaches 18 cubic meters, and loading and unloading can be completed within 15 minutes. Thirdly, the UAV has strong environmental adaptability. We use twin turboprop engines, enabling takeoff and landing on plateaus and on short runways, and it also has short takeoff and landing capability," said Cai Hangqing, chairman of Beijing Beifang Changying UAV Technology Co., Ltd.
According to the company, the UAV was guided by an intelligent system throughout the entire flight.
Its flight also marks the first time a Chinese 7-tonne-class cargo UAV was used on the country's regional air logistics platform.
"The Changying-8 is mainly positioned for regional air logistics, with a service radius of 800 to 1,500 kilometers. It can operate continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Compared with manned aircraft, it is more efficient and more cost-effective. We have already launched certification for trial operations, and we will continue technological iteration and upgrades. The UAV is expected to enter production before the end of this year," Cai noted.
World's largest unmanned cargo aircraft completes maiden flight
China has been playing a key role in bringing a sense of stability to the world and continuing to promote globalization against a turbulent international backdrop, according to a British scholar as he gave his assessment of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) which lays out the country's development vision for the years ahead.
Renowned British scholar Martin Jacques, a former senior research fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Cambridge, shared his take on the recently approved outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, a key blueprint which maps out China's policy priorities through to the end of the decade.
The plan notes that China advocates practicing true multilateralism, upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
It says China will also seek to expand its global partnership network and guide the international order toward a more fair and just direction.
Despite current geopolitical tensions, Jacques says China is responding to a turbulent world full of uncertainties in a calm and rational manner.
"We are living in dangerous times, unpredictable times, and I think China has found a way in this new, difficult era, in the big power relationship [with the United States], to handle it in a calm way, not rise to the bait, and seek to, as far as possible, keep the relationship on a relatively even keel," he said.
China has also pledged to commit to openness and cooperation against the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and has vowed to share opportunities and pursue common development with all countries.
Noting the wave of anti-free trade sentiment and protectionist policies which have emerged in the United States, particularly under the administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump, Jacques says that globalization will remain the prevailing trend and believes China has been able to find successful approaches to advance international cooperation amid the current challenges.
"I think globalization is the long-term historic trend. But that doesn't mean globalization is always in good health, it doesn't mean that it doesn't have setbacks. [We are] now in a period where globalization first of all, has been slowed and in key respects reversed, but at the same time we've seen it taking new forms. The Belt and Road Initiative is a very important form of globalization, and it's been very successful," he said.
China striving for stability against unpredictable int'l backdrop: British scholar
