CHINA’S LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY: POLITICAL ECONOMY, TECHNOLOGICAL GOVERNANCE, AND SECURITY IMPLICATIONS
CHINA’S LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY: POLITICAL ECONOMY, TECHNOLOGICAL GOVERNANCE, AND SECURITY IMPLICATIONS

Author(s): Ovidiu-George DRAGOMIR, Horia-Daniel ȘTEFĂNESCU
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military Sciences
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: low-altitude economy; airspace governance; dual-use technology; security concerns;
Summary/Abstract: The low-altitude economy has emerged as a strategic domain at the intersection of economic modernization, technological innovation, and national security governance in China. Bringing together economic activities enabled by manned and unmanned aircraft operating below 1,000 meters, this sector integrates advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and airspace governance reforms. Drawing from recent scholar studies on China’s low-altitude economy development, unmanned aircraft systems traffic management, and electric vertical take-off and landing technologies, this current paper brings into the light of discussions a comprehensive analysis of the advantages, structural constraints, and prospects of China’s low-altitude economy. Moving beyond the general perspective on the low-altitude economy, this paper underlines low-altitude airspace as a dual-use strategic space, where economic productivity and security governance are deeply intertwined. This paper argues that the China’s low-altitude economy is not only a technological innovation and policy support, but also a successful institutionalization of integrated security frameworks encompassing airspace safety, cybersecurity, and civil-military coordination.

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