Beijing Plans Citywide Drone Ownership Ban

Beijing will prohibit residents and businesses from possessing or storing drones and key components anywhere within the city starting Nov. 15, expanding existing bans on unauthorized flights, sales, rentals and bringing drones into the capital. Authorities will be able to confiscate devices and fine violators, while current owners can sell, scrap or move their drones outside Beijing before the deadline, with subsidies available through designated disposal programs. Exceptions will apply to approved uses including counterterrorism, disaster relief, major events, agriculture, education, research, production and sports training or competitions. The rules follow a series of tighter security measures and a fatal June crash involving a small aircraft that killed the pilot and injured 13 people; drone use remains permitted elsewhere in China subject to real-name registration.