Suzhou, long celebrated for its classical gardens and timeless cultural charm, is rapidly redefining itself as a future industries powerhouse. At the core of its modern transformation are two strategic pillars: the low-altitude economy and new energy, both supported by fully fledged industrial chains that place the city at the forefront of China's push for green, intelligent and urban mobility in the third dimension – the airspace between 150 meters and 1,200 meters above ground.

What distinguishes Suzhou's approach is its ability to build a complete, self-reliant ecosystem – from cutting-edge research and core component manufacturing to large-scale real-world application.

Hundreds of enterprises in low-altitude transportation, including drones and Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as advanced battery and new energy firms, have clustered here, turning futuristic concepts into tangible progress.

This integrated industrial landscape is best illustrated by the development of electric aviation, where high-performance batteries serve as the "ground-based heart" powering the "sky blueprint."

In Changshu, a dynamic county-level city under Suzhou, homegrown unicorn enterprises are emerging as key contributors to this national-level mission. One such leader is Zenergy, a fast-growing battery specialist company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

With a focus on lithium-ion power, energy storage and aviation-grade batteries, the company represents the high-tech, high-standard manufacturing that Suzhou actively nurtures.

According to Yu Zhexun, chief product officer at Zenergy, the company's growth is deeply rooted in Suzhou's superior business environment and complete industrial support system.

"Suzhou offers streamlined government services, strong R&D incentives, and efficient talent policies," Yu said. "The city's concentrated supply chain, including globally renowned partners in the region, greatly improves coordination and reduces costs. Meanwhile, its livable environment helps us attract and retain talent for long-term innovation."

What powers Suzhou's leap into electric aviation is not just industrial clustering, but breakthroughs in next-generation battery technology.

Local enterprises are pioneering aviation-level energy solutions defined by high safety, high energy density, high-rate discharge, and fast charging – standards now recognized as a technical guideline for China's manned low-altitude vehicles.

Aviation batteries demand far stricter safety than automotive ones, with failure rates controlled to an extremely low level. Energy density also reaches new heights, significantly outperforming traditional vehicle batteries.

These advancements rely on precision manufacturing, ultra-dry production environments, and advanced material systems – all capabilities that Suzhou's high-end manufacturing cluster has refined.

As the first Chinese battery enterprise to obtain key aerospace quality certification and civil aviation type certification, Zenergy embodies the technical maturity taking place in Suzhou.

Its batteries have already been mass-produced and deployed in electric light sport aircraft, supporting pilot training, low-altitude tourism, and aerial patrols.

Looking ahead, Suzhou's battery and aviation enterprises are jointly developing customized energy systems for eVTOL and urban air mobility, with future applications expected to expand into intelligent logistics, agricultural services and emergency rescue.

While electric aviation continues to evolve toward widespread public use, Suzhou has already laid a solid foundation.

By seamlessly blending cultural heritage with industrial ambition, the city is crafting a sustainable, intelligent, and interconnected future - one that offers the world a clear vision of how tradition and cutting-edge innovation can thrive together.