Zhejiang province has designated 11 pilot zones to accelerate the development of its low-altitude economy, according to a recent announcement by the provincial government.

The pilot zones include Hangzhou's Yuhang district, Ningbo's Yinzhou district, Wenzhou's Wencheng and Taishun counties, Huzhou's Deqing and Anji counties, Jiaxing's Haining city, Shaoxing's Yuecheng district, Jinhua's Dongyang city, Quzhou's Kaihua county, Taizhou's Jiaojiang district and Taizhou Bay New Area, Lishui's Qingtian county, and Zhoushan's Putuo district, Daishan county, and Shengsi county.

These zones are tasked with pioneering infrastructure, airspace management, and service models for low-altitude operations.

The broader goal is to build a development path focusing on original innovation and integration with technologies such as AI, new energy, advanced materials, and visual perception.

The strategy promotes drone and light aircraft use in urban logistics, rural transport, tourism, sports, and agricultural services — scaling up from concept to commercial reality.

China's Government Work Report, which was delivered on March 5 at the annual session of the 14th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, once again reiterated that China will encourage low-altitude industry players to carry out large-scale applications of new technologies, products, and scenarios.

With its unique mountains and coastline, Zhejiang also aims to use low-altitude tech to improve remote area access and maritime management, according to the provincial announcement.