Beijing is set to impose sweeping new restrictions on drones, banning the possession, storage and transport of unmanned aircraft and their core components throughout the Chinese capital from November 15, as authorities move to tighten airspace security.

The revised regulation was approved by the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress and will establish the entire administrative area of Beijing as controlled airspace for unmanned aircraft. Drone flights will generally be prohibited across the city unless they fall under specially authorized categories.

The new rules go significantly further than the regulations that came into force on May 1. Under the revised framework, individuals and organizations will generally be prohibited from possessing or storing drones and their core components in Beijing. Bringing such equipment into the city will also be prohibited.

The measures come as Chinese authorities intensify scrutiny of low-altitude airspace and seek to strengthen security in the capital. Beijing has already introduced real-name registration and information-verification requirements for drones, with the verification process completed on July 31. The existing verification rules will be discontinued when the revised regulation takes effect.

The new restrictions include exemptions for certain special-purpose operations.

Organizations involved in counterterrorism, public security, emergency rescue, disaster relief and major events may operate drones in accordance with national regulations. Exceptions also cover certain educational, scientific research and manufacturing activities, subject to the required safety assessments and management procedures.

Organizations granted special authorization will be required to establish safety-management systems, clearly assign responsibility and take measures to prevent accidents and security incidents.

Authorities have introduced several options for residents who already own drones in Beijing to dispose of or move their equipment before the November 15 deadline.

Owners can sell their drones to government-approved buyback companies or hand them over to designated recycling facilities. Between September 12 and October 31, eligible owners can receive a subsidy equivalent to 30% of the buyback price, up to 3,000 yuan ($422) per drone. The subsidy will fall to 15%, capped at 1,500 yuan, for transactions completed between November 1 and November 14.

Owners who choose to scrap their drones can receive a subsidy of 200 yuan per device before November 1 and 100 yuan thereafter. Alternatively, residents can use China Post's EMS service to send their drones to an address outside Beijing between September 12 and November 14 without paying the delivery fee after the equipment is verified.

Residents can also personally take their drones out of Beijing by November 15 using civil aviation, rail or road transportation.

The subsidy program applies to privately owned drones whose information was previously verified by public security authorities.

The revised regulation establishes what authorities describe as a citywide "no-storage" principle. Unless otherwise permitted by law, individuals and organizations will not be allowed to establish warehouses, temporary storage sites or other facilities for drones and their core components anywhere within Beijing.

Public security authorities will conduct inspections and take legal action against those who fail to remove their drones before the deadline or illegally store them. Under the broader regulatory framework, serious violations can lead to confiscation and fines.

Beijing's earlier rules, which took effect in May, had already prohibited the establishment of new drone-storage facilities across the city and imposed stricter requirements on existing storage sites.

The tightening of restrictions follows a series of measures by Beijing to strengthen management of its low-altitude airspace. Authorities have said the measures are intended to eliminate potential safety risks and protect public security in the Chinese capital.

Beijing said it will continue routine airspace controls while providing guidance and disposal services to help residents comply with the new rules before they come into force on November 15. (ILKHA)