World Intelligence Expo shows new trend of low-altitude economy

A special section highlighted at the ongoing World Intelligence Expo in north China's Tianjin Municipality is showcasing an array of advanced technologies and products that can potentially boost the low-altitude economy through impressive data processing speed and drone supporting systems.

Lasting from June 20 to 23, the expo is co-hosted by Tianjin and southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, combining two events formerly known as the World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin and the Smart China Expo in Chongqing.

Leading drone, flying vehicle and space technology enterprises have put their latest products related to the low-altitude economy on display in this special section of the expo.

An aviation big data platform on display, when working with base stations, can collect flights' information such as their flight numbers, latitude and longitude, speed, and height in real time.

"Our platform handles 6 billion data a day, and shares them with the control towers on the ground and related drones in real time. This platform is capable of effectively lowering the rate of drone collision and thus enhancing safety. It is also capable of improving the operational efficiency of air routes," said Liu Chunhua, an exhibitor.

When equipped with a fully automated drone inspection system exhibited at the expo, drones are able to change batteries and pods automatically in just 52 seconds, ensuring their work uninterrupted in all kinds of situations.

"At present, in our country, public infrastructure facilities including electricity, new energy and firefighting along with those used in emergency rescue, smart city, safe city, smart forestry, and smart tourism, all need highly frequent and regular patrols and inspections with drones," said Chen Fangping, another exhibitor.

Related reports showed that the size of China's low-altitude economy is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan (140 billion U.S. dollars) in the long run.

World Intelligence Expo shows new trend of low-altitude economy

Global trade frictions eased from the same period last year but remained severe in April 2024, according to data released by China's trade promotion body on Friday.

The global economic and trade measures index, introduced by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), stood at 152, down 167 points year on year but up 15 points from the previous month.

The index is a tool used for assessing and measuring the level of economic and trade frictions on a global scale. It serves as an indicator of the degree of trade barriers encountered by countries in their international trade endeavors.

The index looks into trade frictions in 20 countries and regions, including the United States, China, and Japan, and trade-measure usages such as import and export duties, trade remedies, and technical barriers.

The total value of trade involved in global trade friction measures decreased by 23.8 percent year on year and dropped by 11.8 percent month on month, data showed.

"In terms of the sub-index for countries, the United States had the highest total value of trade involved in trade friction measures, while Mexico, India and Brazil ranked top three in the global economic and trade friction index among the 20 countries and regions," said Zhao Ping, a spokeswoman of the CCPIT, at a press conference in Beijing.

In terms of the sub-index for industries, transportation equipment, electronics, mechanical equipment, light industry and chemicals were the main spots of economic and trade frictions. Out of the 13 major industries that are being monitored, the transportation equipment industry had the highest global trade friction index, according to Zhao.

Global trade frictions remain severe in April: data