China's first domestically produced aircraft, the CJ-5, took to the skies successfully in Nanchang on July 3, 1954. This event, over 70 years ago, provided the city with a strong natural advantage in the emerging low-altitude economy. A recent index from Wuhan University placed Nanchang in the second tier of low-altitude economic development nationwide, solidifying its position as a core hub in central China.

Last year, the total revenue of Nanchang's aviation industry chain reached 98.23 billion yuan, accounting for over half of the province's total. The city has developed two key industrial zones: the Nanchang High-tech Zone Aviation City and the Nanchang Economic Development Zone Airport New City. Three major state-owned aviation enterprises have established operations in the Aviation City. This has created a complete enterprise structure, with leading aircraft manufacturers supported by local specialized and innovative companies. Nanchang's mature supporting infrastructure effectively reduces operational costs for businesses, continuously attracting global low-altitude industry resources.

Where to Start

At the display center of the Jiangxi provincial cooperation platform for EHang Holdings, the company's autonomous aerial vehicles are on show. The growth path of one local firm, Nanchang Sanrui Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., serves as a microcosm of how Nanchang cultivates low-altitude tech enterprises. Founded in 2009, Sanrui is now a globally recognized manufacturer of power systems for drones and robots. It holds core technologies in brushless DC motors, motor control, propellers, and planetary gear reducers. The company's products are sold in over 100 countries and regions, establishing a Chinese brand benchmark in the global drone power system sector. The company's revenue grew by 31.0% in 2025, and from January to May 2026, year-on-year revenue growth accelerated further to 57.6%.

"We focus on the R&D and manufacturing of electric power systems for drones and robots, and we have made a forward-looking strategic layout in the core eVTOL power system sector," said Li Yi, General Manager of Sanrui Intelligent. "This has allowed us to build a complete, integrated power industry chain. Leveraging 13 core proprietary technologies, we have broken the overseas technology monopoly." Li Yi, who has witnessed the entire process of Nanchang's low-altitude industry from its infancy to its current boom, added, "A company's takeoff relies on the city's development. We are grateful for Nanchang's continuously optimized business environment. From R&D funding and talent policies to industrial land and project management, the government has provided targeted support, allowing us to focus on innovation and market expansion." The company is currently building a global headquarters innovation base and smart factory with a total investment of 2.5 billion yuan, which will become a high-end hub for the low-altitude power industry.

Platforms and Carriers: Building the Soil for Industrial Clustering

High industrial concentration is supported by solid platforms. In July 2025, the Nanchang West Aviation Industrial Park and the Nanchang Economic Development Zone Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park opened. These parks link research institutions and companies in sectors like drone R&D, eVTOL manufacturing, and low-altitude logistics. Top scientific research institutions, including the Beihang Jiangxi Research Institute and the Jiangxi Advanced Composite Materials R&D Center, have established a presence. This facilitates the precise matching of "R&D lists" with "demand lists," accelerating the journey of cutting-edge technologies from the lab to the production line. As one of the first national pilot clusters for the general aviation industry, Nanchang is releasing the industrial potential of its Aviation City into the low-altitude field. A complete industrial chain for independent R&D, low-altitude manufacturing, flight support, and integrated services has taken shape.

The 2026 Jiangxi Province Key Investment Promotion Project Handbook frequently features core platforms like the Nanchang Aviation Science and Technology Innovation City, offering space for new enterprises. On the ground, there are platforms; in the sky, there are corridors. The "Ganpo Air Corridor," stretching over 600 kilometers, is being built. Centered on the Nanchang metropolitan area, it connects Jiujiang, Ji'an, and Ganzhou, creating a low-altitude route network. The supporting "100 Points, 1,000 Lines" project will deploy general airports, takeoff and landing points, and smart network nodes along the route. As the core hub of this network, Nanchang is transforming its geographical position into an industrial one.

Policy Support: Creating the Best Ecology for Investment

A stable and predictable policy system is crucial for the sustainable development of the low-altitude economy. As the core engine of Jiangxi province's aviation industry, Nanchang has included aviation as one of its eight key industrial chains. The "8810" action plan provides solid policy support for the low-altitude economy. Nanchang has implemented the "Implementation Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy in Nanchang (2025-2027)." This plan aims to seize strategic opportunities by attracting and nurturing drone and eVTOL projects, breaking through core technologies, and building over 150 takeoff and landing points, more than 3 testing and training centers, and over 100 routes. The plan also focuses on expanding commercial applications like low-altitude logistics, passenger flights, and tourism, and on establishing key labs with universities. The goal is to establish Nanchang as a "National Low-Altitude Economy Innovation and Development Demonstration Zone," with a target industrial scale of 35 billion yuan by 2027.

To address common challenges for low-altitude economy companies, such as attracting talent, obtaining airworthiness certifications, and applying for airspace, Nanchang has established a dedicated service mechanism. This provides companies with specialized service personnel to assist with project implementation and operational issues. Nanchang is now an emerging high ground for the low-altitude economy in central China. As the industry's gravitational pull strengthens, this region is poised for a new future of industrial cluster growth.