Beijing to ban drone possession, citing security

Beijing is set to ban the possession of drones within its city limits, effective November 15, as part of tighter regulations already prohibiting drone sales. The new rules, announced on Sunday, aim to bolster airspace safety in the city of 22 million inhabitants. A near-miss incident in June, where a small aircraft collided with Beijing's tallest skyscraper, killing the pilot and injuring 13, has heightened concerns about aerial safety.

Announced by Beijing's municipal government, the regulations forbade the possession, storage, and transportation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the capital. Owners are mandated to dispose of their devices or relocate them outside the city by the specified deadline or face confiscation and fines. Authorities will provide subsidies for owners who comply, either by scrapping their drones, participating in buy-back programs, or having them shipped out of Beijing at no cost.

Although drone flights in Beijing's airspace already necessitate official permission, exemptions may be granted for special purposes such as counter-terrorism, agriculture, disaster relief, and research.