ChinaEU and the Shenzhen Low-Altitude Economy Industry Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a cooperation platform for the low-altitude economy, one of the most promising emerging sectors at the intersection of mobility, logistics, public services, advanced manufacturing and smart-city innovation. The agreement represents a structured initiative specifically focused on connecting Europe's regulatory and industrial environment with Shenzhen's fast-growing low-altitude economy ecosystem. Luigi Gambardella (R), President of ChinaEU, and Zhao Qi, President of the Shenzhen Low-Altitude Economy Industry Association, jointly sign an MoU at the 2026 Shenzhen Low-Altitude Economy Development Conference and Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the event organizers It comes at a pivotal moment, as Europe continues to develop its regulatory approach to urban air mobility, drones and low-altitude operations, and as cities and public authorities increasingly explore real-world deployment of new aerial services. Under the agreement, the two organizations will work together to enhance mutual understanding of European and Chinese regulatory, legal, safety and certification frameworks, and to support pilot projects, trials and demonstration initiatives in selected European countries, in full compliance with applicable laws and, where relevant, subject to authorisation by the competent authorities. Potential applications range from aerial logistics and emergency and medical services to infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring and urban air mobility. The cooperation is grounded in a strong complementarity. Shenzhen has become one of the world's most integrated hubs for the low-altitude economy, combining innovation, advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping and real-world deployment. Europe, in turn, is a high-value but regulation-intensive market. Beyond market entry, the partnership can support the development of European capabilities — certification know-how, localization and joint industrial projects — contributing to the growth of a European industrial base in the sector. Both sides recognize that the long-term success of the low-altitude economy in Europe will