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China Opens First National Testing Center for Flying Cars

Published: Mar. 23, 2026 12:49 p.m. GMT+8

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China’s first national testing center for low-altitude aircraft started operations in the southern province of Guangdong on Friday, granting flying car developers access to a dedicated testing airspace of 100 square kilometers.

The 8,600-mu (1,416-acre) Southern Testing Center features six long straight runways and more than four vertical takeoff and landing pads. Within the approved airspace, test flying vehicles can operate freely at altitudes below 1,200 meters without advance applications, and unauthorized external aircraft must secure the center’s permission to enter, a source familiar with the matter told Caixin.

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China opened its first national low-altitude aircraft testing center in Guangdong, offering 100 sq km of airspace and advanced 5G-A network infrastructure.
The center streamlines testing for flying cars and drones, bypassing strict airspace approvals and providing enhanced real-time tracking.
It supports Guangdong’s low-altitude economy initiative and involves state-owned backers; local eVTOL firms like EHang and XPeng plan major launches by 2026.

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Who’s Who

China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co. Ltd.: China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co. Ltd. is a state-owned enterprise that is one of the joint venture backers of China's first national testing center for low-altitude aircraft in Guangdong. This facility is crucial for accelerating the commercialization of flying cars and drones by providing dedicated testing airspace and advanced infrastructure.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.: Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC) is a state-owned enterprise. GAC is involved in a joint venture called the Southern Testing Center, a national testing center for low-altitude aircraft. Additionally, GAC incubated Govy Technology Co. Ltd., an eVTOL startup actively pursuing airworthiness certifications.

China Quality Certification Centre: The China Quality Certification Centre is one of the state-owned enterprise partners involved in the joint venture that established China's first national testing center for low-altitude aircraft in Guangdong. This facility aims to accelerate the commercialization of China's drone and flying car sectors.

SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd.: SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI) is a significant drone manufacturer located in Guangdong, China. The company is a "heavyweight" in the region's drone manufacturing sector. The new Southern Testing Center will likely benefit DJI and other drone companies by providing a dedicated testing airspace, accelerating the commercialization of aerial technologies.

Autel Robotics Co. Ltd.: Autel Robotics Co. Ltd. (道通智能航空技术有限公司) is a major drone manufacturer based in Guangdong, China. It is one of the "heavyweights" in the region's drone manufacturing industry, contributing to Guangdong's status as a national hub for drone production. The company operates within an ecosystem that is rapidly developing around low-altitude aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technologies.

EHang Holdings Ltd.: EHang Holdings Ltd. (亿航智能控股有限公司) is a Chinese company based in Guangdong, a national hub for drone manufacturing. It is expected to launch commercial operations of its autonomous passenger eVTOL in March.

XPeng Inc.: XPeng Inc.'s aviation unit, Aridge, is mentioned as planning mass delivery of its flying cars by 2026. This development is part of Guangdong province's growing low-altitude economy, which is supported by the new national testing center for low-altitude aircraft. This center will help streamline validation for emerging aerial technologies for companies like XPeng.

Govy Technology Co. Ltd.: Govy Technology Co. Ltd. (祺迹航空) is an eVTOL startup that was incubated by GAC. They are actively working on obtaining airworthiness certifications, and their factory in Guangzhou is currently preparing for trial production.

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What Happened When

June 2024：: The Guangdong provincial government released its low-altitude economy action plan, calling for the creation of open, full-lifecycle pilot testing platforms for low-altitude aircraft.

March 20, 2026：: China’s first national testing center for low-altitude aircraft started operations in Guangdong, providing a 100 square kilometer dedicated testing airspace.

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