On September 10, the 2018 RPAS and Drone Enable Global Symposia was opened in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Drone experts and entrepreneurs from 49 countries attended the symposia and carried out discussion surrounding topics such as the classification, standards and regulation of drones. Deputy Administrator of CAAC Wang Zhiqing, Secretary General of ICAO Liu Fang, and Vice Governor of Sichuan Province Peng Yuhang attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Wang Zhiqing pointed out in his speech that in recent years, drone industry has registered an even stronger momentum with wider application, more complete industry structure, and more innovation in commercial modes, which has presented a series of challenges for regulators regarding the capability to formulate laws and regulations, to carry out safety supervision and to support air traffic management. Currently, China adopts the regulation mode involving both industry and society to conduct overall management of drone operation. In the field of industry management, CAAC is taking proactive steps to build an integrated managing system of drone by means of technology, regulation and system. By relying on technology, effective prevention has been made; enterprises have been actively supported to continuously enhance the capability to cope with drone interference by means of electronic fencing. In terms of regulation reliance, scientific control and management has been conducted, and appropriate managing mindset has been adopted to set up reasonable standard, so as to not stifle the enthusiasm of this industry due to over-management. Regarding the dependence on system, real-name management has been implemented, and real-name registering system of drone was established to conduct real-name registration; training for drone operator and certificate management have been carried out.

Wang Zhiqing indicated that Chinese civil aviation is willing to follow the overall framework of ICAO in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win result, and to strengthen cooperation in three areas. First, the cooperation to build regulation and standard system will be reinforced, and the supervision mode of drone that is in line with the economic and social development of various countries will be explored. Second, the cooperation to construct the service system of air traffic management will be boosted, and the integration of ATM of manned and unmanned aircraft will be gradually promoted. Third, the cooperation to build technology innovation system will be strengthened. The formation of a standardized, effective and open technology innovation system will be accelerated to lay a solid foundation for the healthy and sustainable development of drone industry.

Liu Fang pointed out in her speech that the technology and application of PRAS technology developed very fast around the world, which has posed new safety risks and challenges to ICAO and aviation regulating departments of various countries. Rule makers must establish a supervision framework that is well structured and flexible, and keep innovating PRAS technology. The mission of ICAO is to promote supervision and cooperation between supervision departments, and between civil and military aviation, to boost safe and orderly development of drone.

Peng Yuhang expressed that at present, more than 200 enterprises in Sichuan Province are involved in drone business, with more than 80 products and have generated an industry value of 46 billion yuan. In 2017, Sichuan established the first pilot project in the country to reform the integrated management of low-altitude airspace. And this year, the first low-altitude airspace integrated management committee and office in China was established in Sichuan, to accelerate the formation of low-altitude airspace integrated management center of Sichuan Province. Sichuan Province hoped that this conference could be an opportunity to further promote high quality development of drone industry, and to push forward foreign exchange and attract investment.

The conference was hosted by ICAO and Sichuan Provincial People's Government, and organized by Sichuan Provincial Economic and Information Commission, Department of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Chengdu Municipal People's Government, and Civil Aviation Flight University of China. The conference will last for five days, during which the Third Global PRAS Seminar, the Second Drone Enable Seminar and other meetings will be held, and drones will be showcased in the 3,400 square meter outdoor exhibition hall and the 300 square meter indoor exhibition hall.