Beijing will ban the possession of drones and their essential components within city limits starting November 15, according to new regulations announced Sunday. The ban follows a fatal accident in late June when a drone crashed into a Beijing skyscraper, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others.
Under the revised rules, individuals and companies found possessing or storing drones or key components within Beijing's administrative area will face confiscation of the devices and potential fines. The new regulations build upon existing measures that already restricted unauthorized drone flights and designated the city's airspace as restricted for security reasons.
Previously, regulations approved in March and effective May 1 required existing drone owners in Beijing to register their devices with their real names and identities. While owners were permitted to keep registered drones under strict conditions, the upcoming ban prohibits possession altogether.
Authorities are offering subsidies for current drone owners to sell their devices at designated buyback locations. Owners also have the option to scrap and recycle their drones for a small subsidy or to ship them outside of Beijing before the November 15 deadline.
While drone users can still operate aircraft in other parts of China, real-name registration is mandatory. Beijing, as the nation's capital, typically enforces more stringent security regulations compared to other regions. The act of bringing drones into Beijing from outside the city, including for tourists, has already been prohibited.
![A performer rests next to a "No Drone Zone" sign in Beijing.]( "A performer rests next to a "No Drone Zone" sign in Beijing.")