Editor's note: Stephen Ndegwa, a special commentator for CGTN, is the executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based communications development think tank. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology and innovation, the sky is no longer the limit, especially for China. Over the past decade, China has quietly but assertively laid the groundwork for what experts are now calling the "low-altitude economy," a vast new sector that integrates drones, flying cars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and short-range air mobility solutions into mainstream economic life. As the rest of the world watches with cautious optimism, China is not just participating in this frontier; it is leading it.

Defined as economic activities that occur within low-altitude airspace (generally below 1,000 meters), this sector spans a range of industries, from drone-based logistics and aerial tourism to urban air mobility and emergency responses. It merges aviation, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and clean energy into a single ecosystem with massive potential. According to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the value of this economy could exceed 1 trillion yuan (roughly $140 billion) by 2030.

That's not a pipe dream. It is already unfolding. Companies like DJI, the global leader in drone manufacturing, have already positioned China as a powerhouse in consumer and commercial drone technology. EHang , another Chinese firm, is pioneering autonomous aerial vehicles, essentially flying taxis, which have undergone testing and are approaching commercial deployment. Meanwhile, other companies like JD.com and Meituan are using drone fleets for deliveries to remote and urban areas alike, reducing carbon emissions and bypassing traffic congestion.

What sets China apart is not just technological capability but also policy alignment. Unlike many Western countries where airspace is strictly regulated and fragmented among civil and military authorities, China has begun to systematically open and regulate its low-altitude airspace, especially in pilot regions like Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hunan Province. This regulatory foresight creates a fertile environment for innovation, attracting both domestic and international players.

This is not a nationalistic project. The global implications are enormous, and largely positive. First, the low-altitude economy offers a glimpse into the future of sustainable urban transportation. As cities become more congested and polluted, traditional ground-based transport systems struggle to keep up.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, drones and autonomous aerial taxis could radically ease pressure on road infrastructure, reduce carbon footprints and improve last-mile delivery in both cities and rural areas. Countries with shared challenges such as India, Brazil, Kenya and even parts of the U.S., stand to benefit by adopting or collaborating on these models.

Second, China's leadership creates a template for international cooperation. Instead of reinventing the wheel, or rotor blade for that matter, other nations can plug into China's rapidly maturing value chains, whether it is sourcing drone components, learning from its regulatory frameworks or forming joint ventures with its aviation startups. Several African countries, for instance, are already using Chinese-made drones for agricultural spraying, wildlife monitoring and even medical supply drops in remote areas.

Third, this industry opens up a new realm for data, digital infrastructure and smart cities. The integration of drones into civilian life requires robust systems for air traffic management, AI-based coordination, cybersecurity and data analytics.

Here, there are vast opportunities for cross-border research and development, talent exchange and co-creation of global standards. Western tech firms, research institutions and governments should see China not as a competitor, but as a necessary collaborator in building a safe, interoperable and ethical low-altitude ecosystem.

While the rapid advancement of aerial technologies brings new responsibilities, it also offers an unprecedented opportunity for global cooperation. Ensuring privacy, safety and transparency in the use of low-altitude airspace should be a shared priority for all nations. Rather than creating divides, the rise of Chinese aerial systems presents a chance to foster inclusive, rules-based dialogue.

Platforms such as the International Civil Aviation Organization can serve as ethical and constructive spaces where countries come together to establish global norms and standards. By encouraging openness, mutual learning and responsible innovation, the international community can ensure that emerging technologies uplift humanity while respecting sovereignty and individual rights.

Moreover, global cooperation can also help ensure equity in how the low-altitude economy develops. Without inclusion, there is a risk that this new frontier could become a tech race dominated by a handful of superpowers. By opening up channels for Global South countries to participate, through financing, training and technology transfer, we can ensure this sector does not replicate the digital divides of the past.

What the internet did for global commerce, the low-altitude economy could do for physical mobility, public health and emergency response. Imagine a future where a drone delivers blood samples from a rural clinic to a central hospital within minutes. Or where an autonomous air taxi connects a remote village to the nearest urban center, cutting a three-hour road trip into a 10-minute flight. That future is not decades away; it is already beginning in China. China has built the runway, now it is time for the world to take flight together.

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