Zhuhai is proposing to conduct drone cargo delivery tests with Lantau Island in Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
The project marks a significant step in addressing technical challenges for the cross-boundary low-altitude economy, according to a newly-formed task force.
The working group on the “low altitude transport logistics corridor” was established by Zhuhai authorities and the Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance.
According to Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan, president of the alliance and a Hong Kong lawmaker, although a detailed roadmap is still under development, the group plans to convene soon to define the next steps for the cross-boundary drone delivery test run.
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According to Quat, who was among those conducting a field study on Monday in Zhuhai to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the corridor and the task force, the tests will initially focus on cargo delivery before expanding to transporting passenger, She explained that the bridge was chosen for the pilot program due to its advanced infrastructure, including network communications and customs facilities, as well as its relatively simple traffic conditions compared to urban areas.
Following discussions with authorities in Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou district, the location of the bridge’s border crossing, industry leaders from Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou agreed that the bridge holds great potential as a testing ground for advancing cross-boundary drone flights.
Quat said this collaboration is an institutional innovation aimed at overcoming challenges posed by differences in regulations, standards, and customs procedures across the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.
“Drone technologies are relatively mature. The biggest challenge now lies in coordinating regulations across regions,” she said.
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Zhuhai has emerged as a leader in the low-altitude economy, having introduced laws, digital infrastructure, and an investment company to support its development, making it competitive like the major leaders in this area, such as cities like Shenzhen, a hub for drone manufacturing, and Hangzhou, where drone delivery is widely used.
The alliance’s field study was conducted at the invitation of the Zhuhai government. Representatives from the 20 Greater Bay Area-based companies in the alliance joined the field trip.
Quat said Zhuhai has the potential to be a model for Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy, particularly in areas like island tourism, given their shared geographic features.
It is believed that drone passenger transport could become a cost-effective travel option within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the near future.
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Since last year, Hong Kong officials have suggested testing cross-boundary drone flights between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in talks with Shenzhen officials.
During this year’s National People’s Congress, delegates from Hong Kong suggested a cross-boundary drone test route linking parts of the twin science parks straddling Hong Kong and Shenzhen — the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone.
