Beijing will ban the possession and storage of drones within the Chinese capital from Nov 15 under new regulations that further tighten restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The rules, announced on Sunday, will also prohibit flights in Beijing’s airspace and ban the transportation of drones or their components into the city.
The Beijing municipal government said the regulations were introduced to “safeguard the security of the capital”, amid concerns over airspace safety in the city of about 22 million people.
Under rules introduced in May, Beijing had already banned the sale of drones while requiring existing owners to register their devices.
The latest regulations mean owners will have to dispose of their drones or move them out of Beijing by Nov 15. Those who fail to comply could face confiscation of their devices and fines.
Authorities will provide subsidies for owners who choose to scrap their drones or sell them through designated buy-back channels. They will also be offered free shipping to send the devices out of the city.
Drone flights in Beijing’s airspace already require prior approval from authorities.
The new rules allow exemptions for certain special purposes, including counter-terrorism, agriculture, disaster relief and research.
Concerns over airspace safety were heightened in June after a small plane crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people.
