Beijing Bans Drone Ownership as Authorities Tighten Rules on Unmanned Aircraft
Revised regulations will take effect from November 15, with authorities offering subsidies to existing owners who surrender, recycle or move their devices outside the capital.
BEIJING, Sep 13: Beijing has announced a ban on the possession and storage of drones within the city, marking another significant step by Chinese authorities to tighten controls on unmanned aircraft.
The revised regulations, released by Beijing authorities on Sunday, will come into effect on November 15. Under the new rules, individuals and companies will not be permitted to possess or store drones or key components within the administrative boundaries of the Chinese capital.
Authorities will have the power to confiscate equipment from those who violate the regulations and impose fines on individuals and businesses.
The move follows a series of measures introduced this year to strengthen oversight of unmanned aircraft. In May, Beijing prohibited the sale of drones, while existing owners were required to register their devices using their real names and identity information.
Registered owners were initially allowed to retain their drones under strict conditions. However, the latest revision removes that option by extending restrictions to possession and storage.
The stricter approach comes after a fatal incident in late June, when a small aircraft crashed into a skyscraper in Beijing. The accident killed the pilot and left 13 people injured, raising further concerns about aviation safety and the use of unmanned and small aircraft in densely populated areas.
Beijing has already prohibited unauthorised drone flights and designated its entire administrative area as restricted airspace. The capital also maintains tighter security and aviation controls than many other parts of China.
To help existing owners comply with the new regulations, authorities will provide subsidies at designated buyback centres, according to the state-owned Beijing Daily. Owners may also receive limited financial assistance for scrapping and recycling their equipment.
Another option available to current owners is to move their drones outside Beijing before the new rules take effect. This would allow them to retain the devices while complying with the city’s revised regulations.
Drone operations remain permitted in other parts of China, although users are required to complete real-name registration. The rules governing unmanned aircraft vary across the country, with Beijing adopting particularly strict measures because of its status as the national capital.
Authorities have also previously prohibited tourists and others from bringing drones into Beijing from outside the city, adding another layer of control over unmanned aircraft in the capital.
