China's low-altitude economy – which covers activities in airspace below 1,000 meters – is entering a period of rapid expansion as a strategic emerging industry. Data released at the 2025 China (Jiangxi) Aviation Industry Conference show the market is expected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan (around $210 billion) in 2025 and could exceed 2 trillion yuan (around $280 billion) by 2030.

Policy pilot zones in regions including Xinjiang, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta are already producing notable results, particularly in low-altitude logistics. In 2024, more than 140 new drone logistics routes were launched nationwide, while same-city instant delivery orders reached 48 billion. 

Industry projections suggest that by 2035, the output value of drone logistics alone may exceed 1 trillion yuan (around $140 billion), with annual growth of about 20 percent. Shenzhen, Chengdu and Nanchang are rapidly emerging as industrial clusters for drone logistics, passenger air mobility and low-altitude tourism– positioning the low-altitude economy as a key driver of regional development and industrial upgrading.