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China Cracks Down on Drone Use: Real-Name Registration, Advance Permission Mandatory
China, which dominates the drone industry, is now making it extremely difficult to fly drones in its skies. Since January, flying a drone without permission carries severe penalties, including imprisonment. Starting in May, all drones must be registered under one's real name.
China dominates in drone technology, although using them is becoming increasingly difficult. New regulations on hobby and commercial drone flights are emerging. Effective from January, sanctions for unauthorized drone use have been increased and might be as harsh as prison time.
Starting from May, all drones will require registration with the name of their owner recorded. The owners will have to associate the drone with their government-issued ID or mobile phone.
In restricted cities, the permission must be obtained at least one day before the drone flight. These rules exempt small drones flying at altitudes below 400 feet in certain open areas, but these areas are very limited. Flight data will also be sent to the government in real time.
In March, Beijing's city administration went a step further and imposed a near-complete ban on drones within the capital's borders. Under these rules (which will come into effect in May), drones or their main components cannot be sold, rented, or brought into Beijing. People entering the city from other states will be subject to luggage searches.
