Beijing Implements No-Fly Restrictions for Commemorative Activities

On September 3, 2015, trainer aircraft escorted flags during a parade in Beijing, the capital of China.

The Beijing Municipal People's Government announced temporary no-fly restrictions across nine districts. These restrictions, in effect from July 16 to September 3, were implemented to ensure aviation safety during commemorative activities. These activities marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The no-fly restrictions applied to the districts of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan, Tongzhou, Changping, and Mentougou. These restrictions were mandated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The launch of any airborne objects that could pose a threat to flight safety was strictly prohibited, except for authorized commemorative events or specific releases such as peace doves or balloons. Phased restrictions on the release of birds were also in place.

Within the restricted airspace, the release of drones, kites, balloons, sky lanterns, and any other objects that could affect flight safety was strictly forbidden. In Tongzhou district, pigeon and bird breeders were required to keep their birds caged daily from 6 am to 5 pm, starting July 16 and lasting until September 3. Similar restrictions were applied to the other eight districts from August 15 to September 3, with the hours of restriction being 6 am to 4 pm daily.

The Beijing government also requested that local pigeon associations and clubs ensure their members strictly adhered to the regulations to maintain flight safety. The relevant district governments were instructed to organize departments, including public security, urban management law enforcement, and market supervision, along with sub-district offices and township governments, to thoroughly investigate potential hazards that could affect flight safety.

Furthermore, military facility protection committees at all levels, along with public security, urban management law enforcement, and market supervision departments, were required to impose penalties on illegal activities in accordance with the law. If such actions constituted a crime, criminal liability would be pursued according to the law.