Beijing —
At the world’s largest drone maker’s Beijing flagship store, display racks designed to showcase DJI’s famous flight products sit disturbingly empty.
There are currently virtually no drones in China’s capital. Under sweeping new rules that took effect May 1, no one can buy, rent or fly drones within the city’s vast jurisdiction without a permit. It’s a surprising turnaround, considering China is both the birthplace and dominant force in the consumer drone industry.
Enthusiasts flocked to electronics stores across Beijing this week for one last chance before remaining stock was removed from shelves.
Zoe Chao, 44, said that by the time she arrived at the DJI store, “many models were already sold out,” adding that she was only able to buy one because the person who had reserved it couldn’t return to Beijing.
The Beijing man then had to register with local police and an official app before taking the 30-minute test at home.
City officials said the strict regulations were aimed at “strengthening the management of unmanned aircraft” and “protecting the security of the capital.”
But they also reflect China’s tightening grip on drones, creating uncertainty in the country’s low-altitude economy, a national “priority” sector that includes unmanned aerial vehicles and flying cars.
Drones are ubiquitous in China, popular with recreational photographers, used for food delivery, agriculture, and even replacing fireworks as the centerpiece attraction at holidays and celebrations.
By the end of 2025, the number of officially registered drones will exceed 3 million nationwide. The rapid spread of infections in recent years has heightened security concerns across the country, especially in the capital, where sensitive military and political bases are concentrated.
Official concerns appear to stem not only from the spying capabilities of drones, but also from their lethality, as demonstrated on the battlefields of the Russo-Ukrainian war, where modified recreational drones were used for killings.
Restrictions had already been tightened in the capital, with no-fly zones continuing to expand in recent years.
Under the new rules, drones and key components cannot even be brought into Beijing without permission. Now, only registered owners who have verified their identity with local police can carry them.
The total ban will also prohibit the storage of drones in “storage areas” in city centres, and will also prohibit “hacking” of drone systems.
The new policy raises questions about international travelers visiting or passing through Beijing with drones in their luggage, but the issue was not clarified in the regulatory announcement. CNN has reached out to the Civil Aviation Administration of China for comment, but has not yet received a response.
It will also increase the dissatisfaction of Beijing’s existing drone users. Under the new rules, drones won’t even be repaired or replaced in the city, a store employee told Chinese state media outlet Cover News. Many users in the city also complained online of confusion over how to interpret the rules.
Stephen Wang, a university student and drone enthusiast, used to fly drones in designated areas on the outskirts of the capital until the ban banned them.
All three of his drones are currently stored at his home in Hebei province, near Beijing, which also has tighter regulations. “We have to apply for permission for each flight, which is very inconvenient,” Wang told CNN. “And starting this year, wait times are getting longer and the reasons for denial are becoming more vague.”
He added that he and other drone users are increasingly uncertain about continuing to fly, given the increasing complexity of approvals and maintenance.
“It takes too long,” he said.
But the strict new rules didn’t deter Zhao from making a purchase this week. He said stronger drone regulations could curb illegal activities. “As a resident of the capital, I understand the importance of Beijing as the country’s political center.”
China dominates the global drone industry, with DJI alone controlling about 70% of the global market last year, according to data from commercial data firm Research and Markets.
Tighter regulations in the domestic market are likely to add to DJI’s predicament, which is already facing regulatory headwinds overseas. Last December, the U.S. government banned imports of DJI’s new models on national security grounds, which the company estimates will cost it $1.5 billion in 2026, according to a court filing in April.
DJI did not respond to CNN’s questions about the impact of the Chinese government’s sales ban.
The so-called lowland economy has attracted attention from the Chinese government in recent years, with its value expected to reach 3.5 trillion yuan ($510 billion) by 2035.
But progress has led to tougher regulations, with Chinese authorities introducing national rules requiring all drone operators to register their real names and tightening controls over flight approvals.
New civil aviation regulations that come into effect in July will require the entire drone industry, from manufacturers and importers to operators and service providers, to apply for airworthiness certificates, in what researcher Daxue Consulting calls “the most significant regulatory change” since the sector’s inception.
Beijing’s move to clip the wings of drone users has prompted complaints on social media about how complicated and confusing it is to fly drones across China.
Huang Lishi, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Hong Kong, told CNN that Beijing’s strict measures may not be replicated in other parts of the country, as other local governments may choose a controlled approach that allows some use of drones.
He said: “The ban in Beijing is a simple measure to ensure safety, and it is clear that Beijing is not the best city to go through such an ordeal.”
CNN’s Joyce Jiang contributed reporting.
