Food arrives by drone in APEC host Shenzhen, as China expands 'low-altitude' economy

What happened

Drones are delivering takeout food, coffee and bubble tea to tourists in Shenzhen, where customers order by scanning QR codes. China’s commercial drone delivery networks include regular routes operated by companies such as Meituan in several cities. Authorities reported 3.29 million registered drones by the end of 2025 and a 45.3 million annual flight-hour total.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

Regular drone routes show how delivery companies can use aircraft to bring orders to parks and other places that may be harder to serve by road. If this model expands, it could add delivery capacity, but companies would need to support the routes and meet aviation rules.

Analyst inference

China’s drone delivery activity is backed by a large manufacturing base, government support for the low-altitude economy, and spreading delivery networks. The article describes commercial deployment as rare in most countries, so China’s operating scale may offer delivery firms experience that is not yet widespread elsewhere.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Whether Meituan and other operators add routes or locations; a larger network could increase the number of orders delivered by drone, while requiring continued operating support. Analyst inference
2. Whether civil aviation authorities change rules for drone flights or registration, which could affect where delivery routes operate and the cost of running them. Analyst inference
3. Whether customers continue using drone delivery after trying it, since repeat orders would help show whether the service can generate steady revenue beyond tourist interest. Analyst inference

Evidence

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