For the first time, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has issued regulations for the operation of unmanned, civilian drones in a bid to standardise and regulate drone usage, which has seen a dramatic rise in the country recently. However, the growing popularity of drones in the country has also triggered some safety concerns. Split into seven categories, based on weight and functions, the regulations for light and small consumer drones are ‘relatively loose,’ while regulations for big and heavy business-purpose drones are more restricted. The new rules will be enforced by local authorities across China, with some exceptions made only if they have been approved by China’s State Council or Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
For the first time, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has issued regulations for the operation of unmanned, civilian drones in a bid to standardise and regulate drone usage, which has seen a dramatic rise in the country recently. Split into seven categories, based on weight and functions, the regulations for light and small consumer drones are ‘relatively loose,’ while regulations for big and heavy business-purpose drones are more restricted. The new rules will be enforced by local authorities across China, with some exceptions made only if they have been approved by China’s State Council or Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.