Onsite at the 9th World Drone Conference 2025

Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province, participated as a featured exhibitor at the 9th World Drone Conference in Shenzhen from May 23 to 25. Its invitation stemmed from pioneering achievements in integrating electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology with cultural tourism, bolstered by enhanced flight support infrastructure and comprehensive risk control systems.

At the "Wings of Zhejiang" pavilion, the EHang Intelligent EH216-S—the world’s first civil-certified autonomous passenger aircraft—highlighted Wencheng’s advancements in 3D low-altitude transportation and innovative applications like scenic low-altitude tours. The demonstration attracted global attendees, media, and visitors, establishing the county as a focal point for low-altitude economy innovation.

Leveraging advantages including premium airspace, geographically and climatically stable conditions, pristine electromagnetic environments, clear electromagnetic environments, and unique cultural assets (notably as the hometown of Liu Bowen, strategist of the Ming Dynasty ), Wencheng has strategically developed its eVTOL sector. It launched five themed low-altitude tour routes featuring eVTOL experiences, drawing over 50,000 participants and forging a new tourism brand.

Supporting infrastructure includes:

Multiple operational vertiports and a soon-to-open provincial-scale eVTOL Center;

County-wide vertiport coverage within three years;

Integrated communication-navigation-surveillance (CNS) systems, weather monitoring, 5G base stations, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) observation facilities;

Forthcoming eVTOL operational systems and a regional low-altitude flight service center.

The county is also establishing a Low-Altitude Industry Incubator, a Low-Altitude Smart Manufacturing Hub, and a civil drone test flight base to foster full industrial chain development.

This integrated approach attracted EHang Intelligent to form a joint venture with Wencheng for drone sales, low-altitude applications, and industrial chain expansion. 　　　　Recognitions include:

Selection as a Zhejiang Low-Altitude Economy Pioneering Zone;

Inclusion in the 2024 Low-Altitude Economy Scenario White Paper;

"Low-Altitude Tours in Wencheng" named an Innovative Application Case at the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo.

During the conference, Wencheng promoted investment across its industrial chain:

R&D innovation via the eVTOL Center and incubator;

Flight testing enterprises utilizing the drone test base and general aviation airport;

Smart manufacturing through dedicated industrial parks;

Application developers for inspections, agriculture, firefighting, and performances under its tourism brand.

The county secured 21 cooperative agreements with enterprises spanning R&D, testing, manufacturing, and application development.