China bans drone sales and requires flight permits in Beijing
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
China bans drone sales and requires flight permits in Beijing
12 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 30
From Friday, drones and key components cannot be sold, rented or brought into the capital, and owners must register devices with police.
Authorities said the tighter rules are needed for public safety and to curb unauthorised drone activity after uneven enforcement of earlier restrictions.
The curbs come as China promotes its low-altitude economy, including drones and flying taxis, which it expects to generate more than two trillion yuan by 2035.
As Beijing grounds consumer drones, is China's trillion-yuan 'low-altitude economy' a strategic vision or a bubble waiting to burst?
How will China's strict new drone controls help its military perfect the AI-powered swarms seen as key to future warfare?