Introduction
On June 27, 2025, China’s revised Public Security Administration Punishment Law was adopted by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. For the first time, illegal drone operations are explicitly classified as acts endangering public safety, with clear provisions for administrative detention. The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Key Legal Breakthrough: Three-Tier Accountability System
1. Clear Legal Definition
Article 46 of the new law identifies three types of illegal drone activities:
- Unauthorized entry into restricted airspace (e.g., airports, military zones)
- Flying unregistered drones or bypassing geo-fencing systems
- Cross-border flights without permission
2. Graded Penalties
- Administrative Detention: 5-10 days for serious violations; 10-15 days for illegal cross-border flights
- Fines: 200-20,000 RMB for unregistered flights based on Interim Regulations on UAV Management
- Criminal Liability: If flights cause flight delays, injuries, or deaths, perpetrators may face 3 years to life imprisonment under Criminal Law Article 115
Why Illegal Flights Persist: Key Challenges
1. Technical Loopholes
- DIY drone kits are easily purchased online, allowing users to evade geo-fencing restrictions.
- Specialized software tools (costing approximately 900 RMB) can disable no-fly zone limitations.
2. Weak Enforcement
- Prior penalties were lenient (e.g., a 200 RMB fine in Luoyang case)
- Lack of data sharing between civil aviation and police hindered offender identification
3. Low Public Awareness
- 60% of drone users believed “no harm, no foul”
- Many were unaware of mandatory registration rules
Future Solutions: Pathways to Compliance
1. Technology Upgrades
- Mandatory Remote ID modules for real-time tracking
- AI-powered low-altitude radar networks for dynamic monitoring
2. Inter-Agency Collaboration
- Integrate data across police, civil aviation, and industry regulators
- Establish specialized UAV police units (e.g., Weihui model saw 40% interception increase)
3. Public Education
- Ban sales of non-compliant drones (following Shenzhen’s approach)
- Expand public legal education outreach to cover 90% of operators by 2026 via community workshops and app alerts
Conclusion: The new law establishes clear boundaries for illegal flights while creating a framework for safe and regulated development of the low-altitude economy.