To implement the spirit of the “Opinions of the State Council on Promoting High-Quality Development in Inner Mongolia and Striving to Write a New Chapter in Chinese-Style Modernization” (State Council Document [2023] No. 16), adhere to the guiding principle of strengthening the sense of community among the Chinese nation, seize development opportunities, and accelerate the cultivation and high-quality development of the low-altitude economy, this plan has been formulated in light of the actual conditions of the autonomous region.
I. Development Goals
Leveraging Inner Mongolia’s geographical, computing power, and airspace advantages, we will expand, enrich, and demonstrate “Low-Altitude Plus” application scenarios. This will drive the integrated development of low-altitude aircraft and component manufacturing, infrastructure, and low-altitude flight operations and support services, while fostering new business models and forms and developing new-quality productive forces. By 2027, reforms in low-altitude airspace management will begin to yield results, with 1–2 pilot projects for low-altitude airspace management reform established.Low-altitude infrastructure will be gradually improved, with the number of general aviation airports reaching 33 and standardized temporary landing sites reaching 100, and at least two comprehensive low-altitude flight service stations established. Application scenarios will continue to expand, with the creation of approximately 10 typical low-altitude economy application scenarios. Breakthroughs will be achieved in low-altitude manufacturing, attracting and fostering 3–5 leading low-altitude economy enterprises and 30 R&D and manufacturing enterprises.The clustering effect of the industry has begun to emerge. We will foster the Hohhot-Ordos-Baotou low-altitude economic development circle, establish two low-altitude economic demonstration zones in Hohhot and Ordos, and create three clusters: the Baotou low-altitude manufacturing cluster, the Chifeng-Tongliao-Xilinhot low-altitude application cluster, and the Ulanqab-Aolai-Haibin-Manchuria low-altitude tourism cluster. This will essentially form an integrated industrial development pattern encompassing low-altitude manufacturing, low-altitude flight, low-altitude support services, and comprehensive services.
II. Main Tasks
(1) Accelerate Low-Altitude Airspace Reform. Tap into low-altitude airspace resources; based on the number and distribution of general aviation companies, and in conjunction with the low-altitude airspace needs of leagues and cities, classify and designate low-altitude airspace suitable for flight. Encourage leagues and cities with the necessary conditions to carry out low-altitude airspace management reforms; support Ordos City in establishing a pilot project for low-altitude airspace management reform; and explore a new model of “low-altitude airspace management + low-altitude economic development” in Hulunbuir City and Alxa League.
(2) Coordinate the Joint Construction of Infrastructure. Accelerate the construction of general aviation airports and landing sites (points) equipped with functions such as takeoff, landing, alternate landing, parking, and refueling for low-altitude aircraft, and explore the development of airworthiness test bases for low-altitude aircraft.Construct temporary helicopter landing sites and drone landing platforms in tourist attractions, medical institutions, highway service areas, transportation hubs, key forestry and pastoral areas, and high-risk natural disaster zones. Support the construction of drone logistics delivery landing platforms in commercial districts, parks, campsites, and large residential communities, and encourage private capital to participate in these projects.
(3) Establish a Collaborative Support Network. Leveraging the construction of the National (Inner Mongolia) Hub Node of the National Integrated Computing Power Network and green computing resources, build an autonomous region-level low-altitude flight intelligent information network to achieve automatic aggregation and intelligent analysis of low-altitude data, thereby creating a data foundation for the autonomous region’s low-altitude economy.Conduct research on digital and intelligent flight rules and models tailored to the autonomous region’s low-altitude flight activities; explore integrated flight management service mechanisms for low-altitude airspace; compile digital airspace maps and visual flight charts for the autonomous region; and establish a three-dimensional transportation network of low-altitude flight routes and airways.Construct an autonomous region-level low-altitude flight service dispatch platform to enable “one-stop processing” of low-altitude flight services; build an autonomous region-level smart low-altitude flight supervision platform to achieve “integrated management via a single network” for air traffic control, low-altitude surveillance and early warning, incident handling, and emergency rescue support.
(4) Develop and Open Application Scenarios. Strengthen the development of “low-altitude +” application scenarios, encourage participation from diverse stakeholders, and drive the integrated development of the low-altitude economy and related industries. Promote the demonstration applications of intelligent low-altitude aircraft in fields such as land resources, meteorology, environmental protection, emergency response, power, transportation, urban management, public security, and border defense. Expand large-scale applications in agriculture (forestry), low-altitude logistics, and low-altitude consumer services.
(5) Develop the low-altitude manufacturing industry. Leverage the strengths of the equipment manufacturing sectors in Hohhot, Baotou, Tongliao, Ordos, and other regions to attract a group of leading enterprises with core competitiveness. Develop low-altitude manufacturing sectors such as drones, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, core components, and aerospace materials.Leveraging the autonomous region’s strengths in raw materials and new energy equipment industries, we will conduct R&D and production of new aviation materials—such as carbon fiber, ultra-high-strength steel, and lightweight magnesium-aluminum alloys—as well as components including electric motors, batteries, and flight control systems, thereby fostering “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” small and medium-sized enterprises.
(6) Enhance Innovation and Development Capabilities. Support low-altitude aircraft R&D institutions, universities, and enterprises from outside the region to jointly establish R&D entities with local enterprises to conduct research and development of key technologies, system integration, and engineering applications. Strengthen cooperation between enterprises, universities, and research institutes to establish an integrated mechanism for industry-academia-research-application collaboration and actively participate in the autonomous region’s “Breakthrough” Science and Technology Project.Guide central state-owned enterprises, universities, and research institutes to establish low-altitude economy technology incubators in Hohhot and Baotou to incubate and validate innovative achievements, products, and technologies.Explore the establishment of an autonomous region-level airworthiness test and verification laboratory for medium- and large-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a low-altitude three-dimensional transportation network laboratory. Actively participate in the research and development of international, national, industry, association, and local standards and specifications related to low-altitude three-dimensional transportation networks and low-altitude flight. Encourage enterprises, universities, and research institutes to participate in the formulation of national standards in relevant fields.
(7) Accelerate the development of industrial cluster demonstration zones. Relying on the Hohhot Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park, promote the construction of a low-altitude economy demonstration zone focused on the manufacturing of UAVs and core components, with distinctive features in services, R&D, training, and logistics. Capitalizing on Ordos City’s industrial foundation in test flight operations, short-haul transportation, aviation training, and the UAV industry, establish a low-altitude economy demonstration zone centered on airspace reform, UAV manufacturing, maintenance and repair, and comprehensive support services.Leveraging Baotou’s strengths in equipment manufacturing and rare earth new materials, cultivate a low-altitude manufacturing cluster centered on the production of complete low-altitude aircraft and core components. Strengthen coordination and industrial synergy among Hohhot, Baotou, and Ordos to establish the Hohhot-Baotou-Ordos low-altitude economic development circle.Leveraging the diverse application scenarios of Tongliao, Chifeng, and Xilingol League, as well as the cultural and tourism resources of the eastern region, we will build the Chifeng-Tongliao-Xilingol low-altitude application cluster and the Ulanqab-Arxan-Haibin-Manchuria low-altitude tourism cluster. We will accelerate the integration of low-altitude flight with multiple sectors and industries, using pilot projects to drive the development of the autonomous region’s low-altitude economy.
(8) Cultivate low-altitude economy service industries. Encourage local governments, state-owned enterprises, and private capital to participate in the development of flight service support systems. Actively conduct field testing and market validation of application scenarios to promote the adoption of new technologies and products. Foster low-altitude economy service industries such as flight training, maintenance and support, and aircraft management and leasing, while supporting the development of big data for the low-altitude economy and related application industries. Relying on industry associations and academic societies, organize various exhibitions, science popularization and education activities, and technical exchange events involving industry, academia, research, and application.
III. Support Policies
(1) Support for Infrastructure Construction. Encourage leagues and cities to advance low-altitude infrastructure construction through a combination of government subsidies and private investment. Support eligible regions in building general aviation operational support bases, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) test sites, and hub landing sites for eVTOLs, helicopters, and large-to-medium-sized drones. Encourage private capital to invest in the construction and operation of public infrastructure such as test sites and landing sites.
(2) Support the Expansion of Application Scenarios. Encourage government departments to include low-altitude emergency rescue, medical evacuation, and social governance support services in the government procurement catalog. Support enterprises in expanding and strengthening low-altitude logistics and delivery services, and in developing commercial applications in areas such as power line inspection, aerial photography and surveying, agricultural and forestry pest control, and ecological monitoring. Additionally, support the development of service projects such as aerial sightseeing and aviation sports, as well as customized services and products.
(3) Support the growth and strengthening of enterprises. Support eligible low-altitude economy enterprises in applying for recognition as National High-Tech Enterprises and as National and Autonomous Region “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” SMEs. Encourage financial institutions to develop loan products targeting R&D and technological upgrades for the low-altitude economy. Encourage insurance companies to develop insurance products for low-altitude commercial applications, expand insurance coverage and alignment with commercial scenarios, and establish a comprehensive low-altitude economy insurance service system.
(4) Support the Development of Scientific and Technological Innovation.Encourage enterprises, universities, and research institutes to establish low-altitude economy innovation research institutions, and provide financial support in accordance with policies for operational R&D platforms. Support enterprises in conducting independent or collaborative research on complete low-altitude aircraft, key systems, and components; autonomous region science and technology plan projects will support breakthroughs in core and key technologies in relevant fields. Deepen the “challenge-based” mechanism for key core technologies, and support leading enterprises in spearheading the formation of innovation consortia to tackle challenges based on low-altitude manufacturing technology needs.
(5) Supporting Talent Recruitment and Development. Deepen university-enterprise cooperation to foster synergy between academic resources and market demands, thereby providing a talent foundation for the autonomous region’s low-altitude economy. Attract high-level talent and teams from leading low-altitude economy enterprises, the defense industry, and central state-owned enterprises through flexible or fixed-term recruitment schemes. Provide policy support—including career platforms, research funding, and service guarantees—to top-tier talent, and assist eligible high-end talent in the low-altitude economy sector in applying for various talent awards.Support universities and enterprises within the region in conducting training for general aviation commercial pilot licenses, private pilot licenses, sport pilot licenses, civil drone pilot licenses, and remote-controlled model aircraft pilot licenses.
IV. Work Requirements
Establish a coordination mechanism for the high-quality development of the autonomous region’s low-altitude economy, clarify responsibilities, strengthen interdepartmental coordination, coordinate the development of the low-altitude economy industry, and facilitate the advancement of major initiatives. Establish a low-altitude airspace management coordination mechanism involving military, government, and civilian sectors, strengthen institutional staffing guarantees, and enhance collaborative management of low-altitude airspace. Establish the Inner Mongolia Low-Altitude Economy Industry Promotion Association and the Low-Altitude Economy Research Institute to provide decision-making consultation and support capabilities for scenario applications, industrial collaboration, and innovative development.Strengthen supervision of low-altitude airspace applications, improve risk prevention mechanisms, and severely crack down on illegal and non-compliant activities that threaten production safety, information security, flight safety, disrupt public order, or endanger public safety.Strengthen market regulation, support the development of radio countermeasures for key locations within controlled airspace and during major events, enhance oversight of aviation sports competitions and events, and standardize business operations and the competitive market environment. As the responsible entities, all leagues and cities must establish and improve organizational support systems and working mechanisms, formulate policy measures to advance these initiatives, drive the implementation of tasks, and ensure tangible results.
