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At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Nov 12, Shaoxing's Yuecheng district signed an agreement with Kanghui Airship Company to acquire Zhejiang's first AS700 manned airship.

Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the AS700, nicknamed "Xiangyun" for its resemblance to a white cloud, is China's first independently designed civil airship built under airworthiness regulations.

Priced at 24.99 million yuan (about $3.47 million), it features a 700-kilometer range, a 10-hour endurance, a top speed of 100 km/h, and a capacity for 10 passengers, including a pilot. The airship's vertical takeoff and eco-friendly design make it ideal for various applications, including tourism, aerial advertising, emergency response, and maritime surveillance.

From its base in Yuecheng, the AS700 can cover all 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta area, further integrating Shaoxing into the region's economic and cultural network.