Low-altitude economy takes off under new MoU between CityUHK and GBA LAEA

Jointly promoting the Greater Bay Area as a global pioneer and demonstration zone for the low-altitude economy was the primary focus of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance (GBA LAEA) on 3 June at CityUHK.

Professor Anderson Shum Ho-cheung, Vice-President (Research) at CityUHK, and the Honourable Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan, Legislative Council Member and Founding President of the GBA LAEA, signed the MoU. The witnesses were Professor Herman Hu Shao-ming, Honorary Advisor of the GBA LAEA; Mr Vincent Marshall Lee Kwan-ho, Honorary Advisor of the GBA LAEA; the Honourable Erik Yim Kong, Legislative Council Member and Advisor of the GBA LAEA; and Mr Nicholas Kwan Ka-ming, Deputy Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Hong Kong SAR Government.

The MoU will foster innovation and practice in the low-altitude economy, promote relevant academic research, and facilitate technology transfer in the GBA. Among the highlights of the MoU are exploring and strengthening cooperation on research projects; exploring the possibility of establishing joint laboratories; co-organising seminars, lectures, and visits to enhance exchanges and cooperation between academia and industry; and promoting academic and technical research and transformation in the low-altitude economy.

Professor Shum believed the collaboration between CityUHK and GBA LAEA would promote coordinated development in the GBA. “This collaboration is pivotal in our shared mission to position the GBA as a global leader in the low-altitude economy. We are all extremely excited about the remarkable achievements we will accomplish with this partnership, which signals a bold leap into a future where the GBA leads global low-altitude innovation,” said Professor Shum.

In her opening remarks, the Hon Elizabeth Quat praised CityUHK for its steadfast commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies to amplify sustainability and the green economy. She stressed how the MoU will take advantage of the low-altitude economy's myriad opportunities, especially in areas like tourism, safety, logistics, and transportation. “Collaborating with CityUHK will help to redefine academic-industry cooperation,” she said.

Professor Li Lishuai, Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research) at CityUHK, stated how CityUHK's research strengths are uniquely positioned to address the challenges facing the low-altitude economy. “These technologies will greatly enable safe low-altitude operations and multi-modal transport networks and facilitate the integration of aerial mobility with existing infrastructure for smart cities, healthcare, and emergency response,” she said.