China halts drone shows across the country as airspace controls tighten
Scheduled drone performances at tourist attractions and events across China have been grounded as the country steps up scrutiny of low-altitude aviation, although in many cases no clear reason was given for the cancellation. Tourist attractions and event organisers in 11 provinces and regions, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Shandong, Guangdong and Hainan, took the unusual step last week of…
China has suspended all drone performances across the country as authorities tighten controls over low-altitude aviation. This move follows a crash involving a two-seat sport aircraft that hit Beijing's tallest skyscraper, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people in June. The tourism authorities in several provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Shandong, Guangdong, and Hainan, announced the cancellations without providing specific details of the new restrictions.
Some provinces cited adverse weather conditions from Typhoon Dolphin as the reason for the cancellations, although these regions were not directly affected by the storm. The Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command reportedly ordered all drone flights to be suspended across six provinces, but the document's authenticity remains unverified.
Beijing is focusing on the "low-altitude economy," which includes various drone-related activities, and is implementing stricter risk management measures. In response to the Beijing light plane crash, training institutions for general aviation nationwide were ordered to halt operations for "rectification." China has also required public security approval for the sale, rent, or transportation of drones and their components in the capital.
These policy changes have impacted various sectors, such as infrastructure inspections, where drones were initially intended to replace human labor.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
