Beijing is set to ban the flying of small aircraft as the most important annual political meetings get under way this week.
According to a statement issued by the Beijing Public Security Bureau, flying aircraft and balloon for leisure, entertainment or advertisement will be prohibited within a 200-kilometers radius of the Tian'anmen Square from March 1 to 16, when the "two sessions" – annual gatherings of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, and the National People's Political Consultative Conference, the top body of political advisors – are held.
During the two-week period, flying aircraft for other purposes should be approved by the city's aerial management authorities.
According to the country's law, small flying objects are those flying under 1,000 meters in height, less than 200 km/h in speed with a radar cross section of no larger than two square meters. Aerial vehicles that fall in the category include glider, unmanned aerial vehicle, delta-wing aircraft, hot-air balloon and model airplane.
Another flying object banned in the city is Kongming Lantern, a small hot-air balloon that people release to make wishes, as it may cause fire, according to a 2014 ban issued by the municipal government.
