Beijing in China will sharply tighten drone regulations, extending them from flight restrictions to bans on possession and storage. Residents must dispose of drones they already own or move them outside Beijing before the effective date of Nov. 15 (local time).

Japan's Gigazine reported on Aug. 26 that Beijing recently revised the "Beijing Municipal Unmanned Aircraft Management Regulations". The new rules ban possessing and storing unmanned aircraft and key components across Beijing, and they also restrict transporting or bringing them in from outside. Flight activities are also, in principle, prohibited. Exceptions may be allowed for special purposes such as counterterrorism, disaster rescue, research and development, production, and agriculture and forestry, after a safety assessment by authorities.

The previous rules were established in March and took effect in May. They also banned the sale and rental of unmanned aircraft and required prior approval for all outdoor flights, and they blocked the installation of storage facilities inside Beijing's Sixth Ring Road. The latest revision expands the scope of regulation to owning drones itself.

Beijing has prepared disposal options for existing owners, including on-site purchases, disposal and collection, and delivery outside the city. Individuals who have completed an information check in advance can receive a subsidy of 30 percent of the transaction price, up to 3,000 yuan (about 605,600 won), if they sell to designated companies by Oct. 31. In November, the support amount will be cut in half. If someone violates the rules by possessing drones or key components, the equipment will be confiscated and the individual may be fined 500 to 5,000 yuan (about 100,000 to 1.01 million won).

Concerns about aviation safety in the capital region underpin the tougher regulation. On June 26, a light aircraft hit CITIC Tower, the tallest building in Beijing, killing 1 pilot and injuring 13 people. After the accident, vigilance over safety in Beijing's low-altitude airspace increased further.

Drone owners have mixed reactions to the strict regulation. Some acknowledge it is a measure for the capital's safety, but complaints are also emerging that losses are large as the secondhand price has plunged because disposals are being rushed at once.