Lawmaker urges HK to establish interdepartmental taskforce for low-altitude flying technology

On Monday (June 3), a lawmaker urged the government to set up an interdepartmental group to formulate a strategy to ensure it keeps up with the growing use of low-altitude flying technology.

Chan Siu-hung is among lawmakers who want the government to lead projects in the SAR, such as using drones for food and medicine delivery.

Chan said mainland officials support this sector's development, and local authorities in the SAR should do the same.

He said other cities in the Greater Bay Area - such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai - were planning to build air transport networks using drones for logistics and transport services and to transport passengers.

"I think Hong Kong cannot afford to lag behind," Chan said.

He said unmanned aircraft had been flying successfully on the mainland for several years with stable operations, "but Hong Kong has yet to make significant progress in this area".

Chan said the technology, supply chain and ecosystems for these activities were already mature on the mainland "so I think the (SAR) government should promptly establish an interdepartmental working group on the low-altitude economy to formulate comprehensive strategies for developing this fast-growing sector".