As an international hub for innovation and technology, Hong Kong is actively exploring the development potential of its low-altitude economy. Lam Hon Yuen, a prominent figure in the low-altitude economy sector, recently highlighted in an exclusive interview with Ming Pao that this emerging field represents a critical opportunity for Hong Kong to enhance its global competitiveness. By leveraging the collaborative model of "Mainland hardware manufacturing + Hong Kong technological application," Hong Kong can assist mainland drone companies in expanding overseas markets while attracting international enterprises to enter the mainland through the city, solidifying its role as a "super connector." However, Lam also emphasized that Hong Kong must address challenges in infrastructure, regulations, data, and talent, urging the government to adopt a strategy of "pilot projects first, regulatory flexibility, and cross-border collaboration" to accelerate progress.
Opportunities: Transitioning from 2D to 3D Spatial Economy, Positioning Hong Kong as a Global Hub
Lam Hon Yuen stated that the low-altitude economy will revolutionize traditional ground-based logistics and service models, creating a three-dimensional economic ecosystem in the air. With its international business environment, financial services expertise, and mature tech application scenarios, Hong Kong can serve as a springboard for mainland drone companies to globalize—for instance, helping them align with international certification standards, test cross-border logistics solutions, and attract overseas firms to explore the Greater Bay Area (GBA) market through Hong Kong. "Hong Kong’s role is not just a technological intermediary but also a testing ground for innovative business models," Lam noted.
Challenges and Solutions: A Seven-Pronged Strategy
1. Infrastructure: Learn from Shenzhen’s Experience, Prioritize "Pilot Zones" Hong Kong’s complex terrain and dense urban landscape make low-altitude route planning highly challenging, requiring avoidance of airspace above people, vehicles, vessels, and buildings within 30 meters. Lam recommends drawing lessons from Shenzhen’s "RMB 12 billion low-altitude infrastructure investment plan" by establishing pilot zones in areas like Cyberport and Science Park. These zones would deploy an integrated communication and sensing network (5G + sensors) for real-time monitoring of drone positions, speed, and environmental data, alongside drone ports for recharging and cargo distribution to accumulate operational experience.
2. Technology and Climate Impact: Enhance Anti-Interference Solutions and Emergency Protocols To address satellite signal disruptions caused by weather (e.g., solar storms, cloud cover) and urban environments (e.g., glass curtain wall reflections), Lam advocates combining mainland hardware manufacturing capabilities with Hong Kong’s scenario-testing strengths to develop navigation technologies tailored to local conditions. Additionally, extreme weather warning systems and backup communication networks should be deployed in pilot zones.
3. Data and Safety: Build a Low-Altitude Flight Database and Expedite Regulatory Sandboxes Hong Kong’s current lack of low-altitude flight data hinders safety verification and insurance pricing. Lam proposes that the government establish a Low-Altitude Economy Monitoring Sandbox, requiring companies to share anonymized flight data while developing risk assessment frameworks based on civil aviation safety models. Real-time data from drone light shows and similar activities could also accelerate technological iteration.
4. Talent Shortage: Attract Specialists and Strengthen Local Training With mainland China projected to require millions of low-altitude economy professionals, Hong Kong faces shortages in pilots, maintenance technicians, and scenario designers. Lam suggests expanding the Talents List to attract GBA experts and urging universities to launch courses in drone operations and low-altitude traffic management. Short-term certification programs could be co-developed with mainland institutions.
5. Public Acceptance: Boost Confidence Through Civic Applications While public concerns over privacy and safety persist, enthusiasm for drone performances remains high. Lam believes the government should prioritize "social value-driven" applications, such as:
Emergency Medical Delivery: Cross-border transport of blood packs, organs, and medicines to save critical time.
Smart Firefighting: Deploying fire-extinguishing payloads to high-rise buildings beyond the reach of traditional ladders.
Remote Area Logistics: Supporting supply delivery to outlying islands and country parks. Transparent regulation (e.g., encrypted data, public flight path visibility) and public education can gradually build trust.
6. Regulatory Reform: Relax Restrictions and Enact Sector-Specific Legislation Current laws prohibit drones from flying within 30 meters of people, vehicles, vessels, and buildings. Lam calls for amendments to the Civil Aviation Ordinance to establish zoned airspace management (e.g., no-fly zones, restricted zones, free zones) and fast-track approvals for critical scenarios like medical emergencies. Hong Kong could also adopt policies similar to mainland China’s "Low-Altitude Economy Aviation Test Zones," allowing enterprises to explore new operational models under supervision.
7. Corporate Collaboration: Partner with the GBA to Build Application Scenarios Lam revealed that his company is collaborating with mainland drone manufacturers, combining their hardware expertise with Hong Kong’s strengths in software integration, satellite interference mitigation, and cross-border compliance. "For example, our anti-interference algorithms tested in Hong Kong can help mainland firms meet EU aviation safety standards, while Hong Kong’s international use cases can feedback into mainland market upgrades," he explained. He stressed the need to accelerate diverse applications (e.g., cross-border delivery, smart inspections) to attract global players into the ecosystem.
Government-Enterprise Collaboration is Urgent
"Shenzhen’s low-altitude economy may outpace Hong Kong by a decade, but our strengths lie in institutional innovation and international experience," Lam asserted. He urged the government to establish a cross-departmental Low-Altitude Economy Office to coordinate infrastructure, regulations, and industrial policy, alongside a dedicated fund for R&D. With the Policy Address highlighting low-altitude economy development, Hong Kong must seize this window to achieve rapid progress through GBA collaboration.
Ming Pao Daily News - Drone Light Show https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E7%B6%93%E6%BF%9F/article/20250203/s00004/1738514416704/%E7%84%A1%E4%BA%BA%E6%A9%9F%E5%8C%AF%E6%BC%94%E5%95%86%E5%91%BB%E5%90%91%E6%94%BF%E5%BA%9C%E7%94%B3%E8%AB%8B%E6%99%82%E9%96%93%E5%86%97%E9%95%B7
Ming Pao Daily News - Laws and Regulations of the Low-Altitude Economy：https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e7%b6%93%e6%bf%9f/article/20250203/s00004/1738514416415/%e8%bc%89%e8%b2%a8%e9%99%90%e5%88%b6%e6%9c%9b%e6%94%be%e5%af%ac-%e9%81%bf%e9%ab%98%e5%bb%88%e9%a2%a8%e9%9b%a8%e6%88%90%e6%8c%91%e6%88%b0
Ming Pao Daily News - Drone for Medical Emergencies https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e7%b6%93%e6%bf%9f/article/20250203/s00004/1738514415989/%e7%89%a9%e6%b5%81%e7%95%8c-%e6%8b%93%e4%bd%8e%e7%a9%ba%e7%b6%93%e6%bf%9f%e6%87%89%e9%87%8d%e6%95%88%e7%9b%8a-%e5%bf%8c%e6%b7%aa%e5%8f%a3%e8%99%9f-%e5%ad%b8%e8%80%85%e7%b1%b2%e9%ab%98%e5%83%b9%e5%80%bc%e9%86%ab%e7%99%82%e7%89%a9%e8%b3%87%e9%81%8b%e9%80%81%e5%84%aa%e5%85%88%e6%8e%a1%e7%94%a8
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