My trip to China in 2026 and the contrast between the streets of Shanghai or Shenzhen and those of Berlin or Paris (the difference is starker than ever)
During my trip to south east China and Hong Kong, I saw so much “clean tech” in China (excellent electric transportation, no or light traffic jams, e-scooters, e-payments) that seems missing from the West.
1. The “Low-Altitude Economy” (Drones & Flying Vehicles)
What I saw—personal flight vehicles (eVTOLs) and delivery drones—is the result of China officially designating the “Low-Altitude Economy” as a strategic growth pillar in its current 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
* China’s Approach: Beijing treats autonomous flight as inevitable. They have built massive “test cities” (like Shenzhen and Hangzhou) where drones delivered over 2.7 million packages in 2024 alone. New regulations taking effect in May 2026 provide a clear legal framework for air taxis and cargo drones to share the sky with passenger jets.
* Europe’s Approach: Europe prioritizes privacy and safety risk. While the EU has advanced drone laws (the STS-01/02 standards), they are so focused on “Visual Line of Sight” and preventing crashes that it makes widespread commercial use nearly impossible in dense cities.
2. E-Scooters and “Last-Mile” Dominance
The ubiquity of e-scooters and electric delivery bikes in China is driven by a massive, vertically integrated manufacturing base.
* Scale: China’s e-scooter market is currently valued at over $10 billion. Because they make the batteries (CATL, BYD) and the motors locally, a high-quality electric scooter in China can cost a fraction of what it does in Europe.
* Infrastructure: While European cities are still debating where to park rental scooters, Chinese cities have largely integrated them into the “gig economy” (apps like Meituan), making them the primary tool for almost all urban logistics
E-Helicopter
E-scooters
