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An AS700 airship conducts a low-altitude demo flight in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Shaoxing's Yuecheng district is accelerating efforts to build one of China's leading low-altitude economy pilot zones, according to local authorities.

Since the beginning of 2024, Yuecheng has focused on a full-chain strategy covering the aircraft, components, and systems sectors. The district has introduced 18 projects in the low-altitude sector. A foundational ecosystem for the low-altitude economy is now in place.

In late 2024, China's first AS700 passenger airship — and the only one currently in Zhejiang — made its inaugural landing in Yuecheng, adding a new dimension to the region's tourism and aviation experience.

Yuecheng has also built an application system to promote diverse use cases. In the logistics sector, it launched Zhejiang's first regular urban low-altitude cargo route, cutting delivery times by over 70 percent.

In governance, Yuecheng was the first in the province to complete a district-wide deployment of drone stations. It has piloted 30 low-altitude governance scenarios, including geological hazard inspections, air pollution monitoring, and road and river patrols.

In tourism and culture, the district introduced the AS700 airship experience, offering low-altitude sightseeing. In transportation, it launched Zhejiang's first regular low-altitude passenger route connecting Yuecheng and Shanghai's Pudong New Area.