Lawmakers discuss development of low-altitude economy

Lawmakers from the alliance for low-altitude economy development in the Greater Bay Area, led by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), met at government headquarters today to discuss the potential of utilizing airspace below 1,000 meters for economic activities.

The meeting included Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun and Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, among others.

This came after the Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu committed to unlocking low-altitude airspace to enhance Hong Kong's economy in this year's Policy Address. The low-altitude economy could include activities such as rescues, surveys, and transporting goods and passengers.

Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan, a DAB Legislative Council member and founding chairman of the alliance, highlighted Wong's call for a spirit of exploration in this sector. Wong emphasized collaborative efforts across political, business, and academic sectors and confirmed that development would proceed incrementally.  

During the discussion, Quat noted the active participation of 27 members, which fostered a constructive atmosphere.

The group proposed ten key measures to promote a strategic development plan for the low-altitude economy and encourage local and regional industry growth. They suggested that government departments create a demand list for application scenarios specific to Hong Kong, helping enterprises tailor their services.

Other recommendations included refining the freedoms of low-altitude airspace and establishing more ports with joint boundary control. The alliance also urged the government to allocate budget reserves and consider partnerships to establish a fund dedicated to nurturing local start-ups and attracting domestic and foreign companies, aiming to solidify Hong Kong as a hub for low-altitude economic activities.