In south China’s Guangdong Province, a rapidly advancing drone industry is propelling the rise of the country’s low-altitude economy, as unmanned aerial vehicles find growing applications across logistics, emergency response and industrial operations.

As China’s manufacturing powerhouse, Guangdong produces around 95 percent of the nation’s consumer drones and over half of its industrial models, strengthening its position in the global market. Supported by domestic growth policies, the province is moving beyond production to shape an integrated low-altitude ecosystem.

In Shenzhen, drones now run regular delivery routes between cities such as Zhongshan and Zhuhai, transforming journeys that once took hours into swift aerial trips. These operations are coordinated through real-time control centres that monitor flight paths and cargo.

Beyond commerce, drones are enhancing public safety, enabling rapid medical deliveries and specialised operations such as firefighting and agricultural management. Backed by a network of 15,000 firms, Guangdong’s innovation is helping China capture over 70 percent of the global drone market while redefining the future of low-altitude development.