Nantong hosts the 11th China Aviation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the first Aerospace Science and Technology Expo from Oct 13 to 15. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The 11th China Aviation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the first Aerospace Science and Technology Expo opened in Nantong on Oct 14.

The event attracted 528 project applications from across the country, with 212 selected to compete in Nantong. Now in its 11th year, the competition has gathered more than 4,100 high-quality projects and supported many startups in their growth.

This year's competition focuses on key aviation technologies and industry needs, featuring four tracks: advanced materials and intelligent manufacturing, future space, low-altitude economy, and civil aviation.

In addition to the competition, a concurrent expo features over 350 companies and institutions, presenting new equipment, technologies, and products in the aerospace sector.

Fan Huitao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a keynote speech on building the low-altitude economy into a new growth pillar. An aviation technology publishing project was also launched, aiming to bring out more than 100 aviation-related books by the end of 2030.

Running from Oct 13 to 15, the event also includes the second Aerospace Industry Chain Innovation and Development Conference and other sideline activities.

Nantong has gathered more than 40 aviation supporting enterprises and is deeply integrated into the Yangtze River Delta's large aircraft industrial cluster. During the event, 12 quality projects signed cooperation agreements with the Nantong National High-tech Industrial Development Zone.