Beijing puts a total ban on drones in update to regulations after deadly crash
Por Dannie Peng — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement China’s Communist Party China Politics Beijing puts a total ban on drones in update to regulations after deadly crash
China’s capital will enforce the country’s toughest rules on UAVs from November 15 but a no-fly zone will be in effect from Sunday
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Dannie Peng in Beijing Published: 2:00pm, 14 Sep 2026 Beijing has introduced stricter drone regulations , banning all uncrewed flights as well as the possession and storage of existing devices, while detailing disposal methods for the first time in an effort to strengthen security in the capital. The new rules, which will take effect on November 15, follow an incident in June, when a small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest building , the Citic Tower – also known as China Zun – leading to the death of the pilot.
The newly revised regulations on the management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were announced on Sunday on the municipal government website. They will apply across the city.
The authorities will also establish a no-fly zone in the capital and its surrounding areas, effective from September 20, primarily restricting non-essential flights, official media in Beijing said on Sunday. Commercial aviation and emergency rescue operations will be exempt.
According to the document, Beijing’s entire administrative area is designated as restricted airspace for UAVs. It is forbidden not only to fly drones but also to possess, store, transport or bring them and their core components into the city, except in exceptional circumstances.
01:03 Small aircraft hits Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, prompting evacuations The new rules, which build upon the original framework approved in March , state that the revisions are to “adapt to the new situations, tasks and requirements” of UAV management and “to effectively fortify the capital’s security defences”. Advertisement Select Voice Select Speed 0.8x 0.9x 1.0x 1.1x 1.2x 1.5x 1.75x 00:00 00:00 1x AI-generated voice
