The development level of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a major index of a country's military strength, technological innovation, and manufacturing level, a leading engineer stated at this week's international drone conference in Zhuhai.

Yao Junchen, secretary general of the Chinese Society of Aeronautics & Astronautics (CSAA), also said drone status is a key indicator of high-quality economic development and the establishment of a better livelihood. His comments came at the 4th Global Unmanned Systems Conference on Monday and Tuesday.

He and other experts predicted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area would become an innovative industrial highland for unmanned systems. The Zhuhai UAV industry, it was noted, is home to 50 related companies including Ziyan UAV, Zhuhai Yuren Agricultural Aviation, and Yunzhou-Tech, yet more backbone companies and public service platforms are needed.

4th Global Unmanned Systems Conference [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Zhuhai can achieve breakthroughs in the UAV sector by enlarging industrial scale, enhancing public service and coordinating innovation with radiating effect in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and attracting more high-tech enterprises and high-end talents, noted Xie Feng, executive director of the Zhuhai UAV Association.

Meanwhile, Yao advocated the application of drones to "smart" transportation and logistics, disaster rescue, agriculture and plant protection, and patrol and mapping. He also urged security supervision and legislation for sound development. 

Tang Tao of CAS and president of Zhuhai-based Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, said more outstanding companies and talents are invited to coordinate industry-university-research innovations in Zhuhai. 

Themed "Innovative Unmanned Systems, Empowered Greater Bay Area," the event provided insights into the sector's latest trends. Forums addressed unmanned systems' marine collaborative innovation and development, innovative application in emergency rescue, global electric aviation industry, intelligent systems + wearable devices, and independent planning and collaborative control. 

First held in Zhuhai in 2017, the Global Unmanned Systems Conference reportedly is the most important domestic communication event of its kind for unmanned systems. Huang Wei of CAS, Chen Junlong of South China University of Technology, and Jin Shuanggen of the Academia Europaea delivered keynote speeches. This year's "Best Golden Wings" Awards were also announced.

It was co-hosted by the Zhuhai UAV Association, CAS and its UAV Application Center, China Ordnance Society, Chinese Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Chinese Society of Astronautics, Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering, Macao-based Nam Kwong Group, and Caihong UAV Technology.