Register your drone, check the airspace, and do not bypass flight restrictions
Flying without required registration can bring a fine up to RMB 200, or RMB 2,000–20,000 for serious circumstances. Unauthorized flight in controlled airspace can lead to a fine, confiscation, or administrative detention. In one case, a person paid to bypass the altitude limit, flew to nearly 3,000 meters, and posted cloud footage; the result was five days’ detention.
What it takes
Real-name registration is free and takes a few minutes. Before every flight, check official information about the proposed area.
What you may gain
Failure to complete required registration can lead to an order to correct it and an optional fine up to RMB 200; serious cases carry RMB 2,000–20,000. Unauthorized flight of micro, light, or small unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace can bring an order to stop and an optional fine up to RMB 500; serious cases bring confiscation and RMB 1,000–10,000. More serious airspace-rule violations can bring five to ten days’ detention. In the official Li case, paid circumvention of the altitude limit followed by a flight to nearly 3,000 meters and online publication led to five days’ detention. Zhang bypassed altitude and no-fly restrictions more than 20 times for customers and earned over RMB 15,000. He was convicted of providing programs or tools for intrusion into or unlawful control of computer information systems, receiving six months suspended for one year and a fine. The flight-management framework took effect in January 2024.
Context & considerations
Micro and light aircraft in airspace designated suitable for flight do not require the same flight approval. The original identifies under 0.25 kg empty weight as a feature of the micro category; check the full legal classification rather than weight alone. Suitable airspace lies outside controlled areas, and airports, military installations, and government facilities commonly have controlled surroundings. The source used the Hubei police repost because the ministry’s original page was unavailable.
Research & references
State Council and Central Military Commission (2023). Interim unmanned-aircraft flight-management regulations, Order 761, Articles 10, 19, 47, and 51. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202306/content_6888799.htm; Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2025). Revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law, Article 46. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml; Hubei Public Security Department (2026). Eight typical illegal-drone cases released by the Ministry of Public Security, reposting People’s Public Security Daily. http://gat.hubei.gov.cn/bmdt/gayw/202602/t20260205_5870949.shtml.