China is set to ban the sale of drones in Beijing and introduce sweeping new restrictions requiring permits for all drone flights in the capital, under regulations taking effect on Friday.
Under the new rules, drones and key components will be prohibited from being sold, rented, or brought into Beijing. Owners will also be required to register their devices with the police, marking one of the most restrictive urban drone control frameworks yet introduced in the country.
All outdoor drone flights in Beijing will now require prior approval, while users must complete an online training session and pass a test on drone regulations before operating any device.
In addition, drones must be registered before being brought into or taken out of the capital. Even in cases where drones are sent out of the city for repair, owners will be required to collect them in person rather than have them delivered back.
There are, however, limited exemptions. Drones may still be purchased and stored for designated uses such as counter-terrorism and disaster relief operations, provided they are approved by the relevant authorities.
The restrictions are part of China’s broader effort to tighten control over its rapidly expanding drone sector, which has become central to what Beijing calls the “low-altitude economy” — a strategic industry covering drones and flying taxis, and projected to generate more than two trillion yuan (about $290bn; £217bn) by 2035.
While drones are widely used across China for services such as food delivery, agriculture, and building maintenance, the regulatory environment is becoming increasingly strict, particularly in major cities.
China has gradually intensified drone regulations in recent years, citing public safety concerns. Last year, Beijing’s entire airspace was designated a no-drone zone, requiring approval from air traffic authorities before any flight could take place.
The latest rules were approved in March. At the time, city authorities said drone management needed to be strengthened to address “challenges” in ensuring low-altitude airspace safety.
A senior official of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress, Xiong Jinghua, said the objective was to ensure a careful balance between security and development.
Xiong said the goal was to “strike the best balance” between safety and ensuring technological and economic progress.
The sweeping restrictions are expected to significantly impact China’s massive drone market, which, according to government data, includes more than three million registered drones.
China remains home to some of the world’s leading drone manufacturers, including DJI, the global industry leader. However, with the new rules approaching enforcement, reports indicate that DJI retail outlets in Beijing have already begun removing drones and related products from their shelves, signalling a major shift for both consumers and manufacturers operating in the capital.
Boluwatife Enome
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