The 2026 Xiaoliu Drone Racing World Cup (Ningbo Yinzhou Station) is now in full swing. On May 27, Mr. Bruno Delor, First Vice-President of the Aeromodelling Commission of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), and Mr. Jia Bing, President of the Aero Sports Federation of China (ASFC), visited Yinzhou to participate in the "Wings Over Yinzhou & Smart Racing into the Future" cultural and technological experience event. On the eve of this top-tier competition, the two aviation dignitaries explored Yinzhou's coastal and mountain resources, cultural landmarks, and tech-innovation campuses, immersing themselves in the district's unique blend of traditional heritage and cutting-edge technology.

The first stop of the visit was Xianxiang Town, located on the shores of Xiangshan Harbour, where a meaningful encounter between cultural richness and aviation aspirations unfolded. At the ancestral home of renowned cellist Ma Youyou, the Xianxiang Dayouyou Ensemble welcomed the guests with a soulful cello performance of "My Motherland." Ms. Ma Youling, 76, shared detailed stories about the Ma family's heritage and cultural background. Impressed by the family's multicultural legacy, Mr. Delor praised its unique blend of international vision and local depth, and applauded the ensemble's brilliant performance.

The guests then experienced Xianxiang's distinctive intangible cultural heritage. Guided by Li Lei, a member of the Ningbo Calligraphers Association and Dasong Seal Society, they tried their hand at seal carving, feeling the unique texture of Dasong stone and the charm of traditional seal engraving. Dasong stone is a rare mineral resource unique to Ningbo, known for its exquisite patterns and superior quality for seal making. This offered the guests a true taste of Yinzhou's local stone seal culture.

At the China Xianxiang Aviation Flight Camp, the visitors inspected the ongoing second-phase renovation. As a key supporting venue for the upcoming Drone Racing World Cup, the camp is set to focus on low-altitude flight experiences and professional drone training, becoming a major hub for Yinzhou's tech-driven aviation sports. Mr. Jia Bing highly commended the camp's advantageous coastal-mountain location and its development plans, noting it as an ideal base for advancing aviation sports and nurturing the low-altitude economy.

That afternoon, the delegation visited the Xinlanqing School, where they observed hands-on courses in drone operation, robotics programming, and other tech-innovation subjects, and engaged directly with young students. During the interaction, Mr. Delor encouraged the aspiring young pilots: "Drone racing is not just about speed—stay true to your passion, build a solid foundation, and strive to be the first to reach the finish line." His warm words planted seeds of ambition in the hearts of children passionate about aviation technology.

The 2026 Xiaoliu Drone Racing World Cup (Yinzhou Station) is being held from May 28 to 31 at the Ningbo Sports Development Center. This marks the second time this international top-tier event has been held in China, following its Shanghai stop. The competition brings together 130 elite pilots from multiple countries and regions, racing on a 500-meter double-decker three-dimensional professional track. Competing drones can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, with full professional protection, lighting, and timing systems, ensuring a thrilling and highly professional spectacle.

Notably, the event is deeply integrated with Yinzhou's local cultural IP. The track design draws inspiration from the national treasure "Brass ‘Yue' with Rowing Men of Feather Headdress, the Warring States Period. The champion's trophy incorporates the character "Jin" from the ancient name of Yinzhou, while the exclusive event seal is crafted from Xianxiang's Dasong stone—bringing Yinzhou's thousand-year cultural legacy to the world stage through an international sporting event.

Drone racing represents a new frontier in the deep integration of tech sports and the low-altitude economy. Ningbo and Yinzhou are intensifying their strategic layout in the low-altitude economy, with the goal of exceeding 10 billion yuan in municipal output by 2027. With a top-tier international event underway, endorsement from global aviation leaders, and sustained investment in tech education, Yinzhou is connecting culture, sports, and technology industries through drone racing as a unifying thread, continuously injecting fresh momentum into high-quality regional development.

Translator: Wang Siyu

Correspondents:

Shi Yinxiao, Gu Yiwei