Drone congress opens in Shenzhen as city steps up low-altitude economy push

Shenzhen stepped up its push to become a hub for the low-altitude economy as more than 1,200 drone and aviation technology companies gathered for the opening of the 10th World Drone Congress yesterday at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.

Visitors gather around a large industrial drone on display at the 10th World Drone Congress in Shenzhen yesterday. Photos by Liu Xudong unless otherwise stated

The three-day event, which runs through May 23, is being held alongside the 11th Shenzhen International UAV Expo and the 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy and Unmanned Systems Expo.

Spanning 110,000 square meters, the exhibition brings together companies from 17 countries and regions, showcasing products and technologies ranging from drones and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) to AI-powered robotics and low-altitude infrastructure systems.

Visitors from different countries explore drone products at the World Drone Congress in Shenzhen yesterday. Photos by Chang Zhipeng 

China has identified the low-altitude economy as a strategic emerging industry, with local governments across the country accelerating efforts to develop drone logistics, aerial mobility and related infrastructure.

Against that backdrop, the Bureau of Science, Technology, and Industrial Information of Futian District signed a strategic cooperation agreement yesterday with Tianjin Yunxiang UAV Technology Co. Ltd. to strengthen Futian’s low-altitude industry ecosystem.

According to the agreement, the two sides will work together to attract upstream and downstream industry resources and explore the development of a model district for the low-altitude economy in Futian.

Yunxiang, which is attending the expo for the second consecutive year, showcased technologies including UAV detection systems, counter-drone equipment and signal-protection solutions.

Chen Ling, general manager of Yunxiang, said the company’s headquarters and research and development center are located in Beijing, while its production and testing base is in Tianjin, with multiple regional branches across the country, including Shenzhen.

Chen Ling (in white T-shirt), general manager of Tianjin Yunxiang UAV Technology Co. Ltd., introduces products to visitors. Chang Zhipeng 

The expo also reflects the growing convergence of drones, artificial intelligence and low-altitude transportation technologies, as cities and companies explore new commercial applications in the sector.

During the event, organizers will host one plenary session and more than 130 forums and related activities featuring over 630 industry experts, including more than 30 Chinese and international academicians. Discussions will focus on topics such as intelligent low-altitude networks, airworthiness certification standards and industry-education integration.

International visitors learn about drone technologies at the 10th World Drone Congress and related expos in Shenzhen yesterday. 

Since its launch in 2017, the World Drone Congress has attracted participants from more than 150 countries and regions and has become an important platform for international industry exchange.

As Shenzhen accelerates investment in low-altitude infrastructure and related technologies, cooperation between local governments and industry players is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the sector’s future development.

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