Beijing tightens drone rules, citing ‘low-altitude security’ concerns

Citing security concerns, Beijing will significantly restrict drone sales, storage and transport after tightening regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Chinese capital’s airspace, according to state media.

Beijing has banned the sale or lease of UAVs and 17 designated “core components” to any person or organisation unless granted public security approval, according to the regulation approved by the municipal legislative body on Friday.

Bringing new drones or core components into Beijing’s administrative area would also be forbidden, state news agency Xinhua reported. It noted there would be an exception for drones that had already undergone real-name registration and were being carried by verified owners.

The regulation also prohibits storing more than three drones or 10 core components at a single location within Beijing’s sixth ring road – an area spanning 2,288 sq km (883 square miles), roughly three times the size of Singapore.

The regulation will take effect from May 1.