Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, announced the launch of a 20 billion yuan (target size) aerospace industry investment fund on May 13, during a low-altitude economy investment promotion event held in the city.
Low‑altitude economy investment promotion event held on May 13 in Guangzhou.
The fund, jointly contributed by the municipal government, state-owned enterprises, government-guided funds and financial institutions, will support the entire aerospace industry industrial chain. Investments will cover critical raw materials, core components, aircraft and supporting infrastructure R&D, as well as application scenarios such as low-altitude logistics, cultural tourism, urban air mobility, government flights, air transport and space launches.
Guangzhou is home to the world's first fully certified manned autonomous aerial vehicle.
Guangdong's low-altitude economy is a hot spot for global investors. The province's 2024-2026 action plan for promoting high-quality development of the low-altitude economy explicitly encourages multinational companies and foreign research institutions to establish cutting-edge technology R&D centers in Guangdong.
Guangzhou boasts China's first drone-based customs clearance within a comprehensive bonded zone.
"This is not only a major release of low-altitude economy opportunities, but also an open invitation to global pioneers. We welcome partners with the utmost sincerity, best policies and finest services," said a senior Guangzhou official at the event on May 13.
Beyond the fund, Guangzhou also unveiled several concrete measures at the event to guide investors.
The city plans to launch commercial cultural tourism test flights along the Pearl River waterfront, allowing global visitors to experience drone-based sightseeing tours in the city. It also aims to launch China's first cross-border low-altitude logistics route to Hong Kong SAR, by the end of 2026, enabling half-day delivery of cross-border goods between Guangzhou and Hong Kong SAR.
Drone flies across the Pearl River near the city's iconic Canton Tower.
In terms of infrastructure, Guangzhou plans to build 500 new takeoff and landing facilities in 2026. The city will also construct a long test runway for ton-class heavy-lift drones and establish a six-kilometer low-altitude safety control zone along the Pearl River.
To strengthen industrial development, the city will promote supply chains for eVTOLs and drones, as well as adaptive upgrades for core component manufacturers in batteries, motors, electronic controls, navigation and flight control technologies. The city aims to "build an A-Z supply chain where an aircraft can be manufactured entirely without leaving Guangzhou."
The low-altitude economy investment promotion event held on May 15 marked the first session of the city's investment promotion series scheduled for the coming months. The event on May 13 also featured district resource presentations, case studies, roadshows and face-to-face meetings, providing a platform for over 200 investors to connect with Guangzhou's low‑altitude economy.
Reporter | Huang Xinyi
Photo | Huang Xinyi, Nanfang Plus
