Beijing tightens drone restrictions across the city

Beijing is tightening restrictions on drones, with the possession and storage of drones and their core components set to be banned across the city from November 15.

The revised regulation was adopted by the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress as authorities seek to strengthen airspace security in the Chinese capital.

Under the new rules, the entire administrative area of Beijing will be designated as controlled airspace for unmanned aircraft. Drone flights will be prohibited unless specifically permitted under relevant regulations, according to Chinese media.

Individuals and organisations will also be prohibited from transporting or carrying drones and their core components into Beijing, while the establishment of warehouses, temporary storage sites and other facilities for storing unmanned aircraft will be banned across the city.

Exceptions will apply to special-purpose flights involving counterterrorism, public order, emergency rescue and disaster relief, major events, teaching, scientific research and manufacturing. Organisations conducting such flights must comply with national regulations and establish safety management systems.

Beijing introduced its existing drone management regulation on May 1, including requirements for authorities to verify drone information. The verification process, including the registration of existing devices, was completed on July 31. Those rules will cease to apply when the revised regulation takes effect.

Authorities have also introduced measures to help residents remove drones already in Beijing before the November 15 deadline.

Owners can sell their drones to government-certified buyback companies or hand them over to designated recycling facilities. They can receive subsidies of between 100 yuan ($14.9) and 3,000 yuan per drone, in addition to proceeds from any sale.

Another option is to send drones through China Post’s EMS service to an address outside Beijing between September 12 and November 14, with delivery fees waived after the equipment is verified.

Residents choosing to take their drones out of Beijing themselves must do so by November 15 using civil aviation, rail or road transport.

Public security authorities will conduct inspections and take legal action against people and organisations that fail to remove drones by the deadline or illegally store them.

Beijing said it would continue routine airspace controls and provide policy guidance and services to help residents comply with the new requirements.

By Aghakazim Guliyev