Chengdu in southwestern China last week released a circular mandating that from July 15 to August 11 drones, hot air balloons and other UAVs will be prohibited from flying in the city in order to ensure safety during the World University Games Summer held in the city.
The circular, issued by the government of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, states that UAVs flying at “slow speed” and at “low altitudes” will not be allowed to take to the sky within the jurisdiction of Chengdu during the sports event.
Chengdu authorities today started a 10-day countdown to the opening of the Games on July 28.
The ban applies to 12 districts of the city, including Jinjiang, Qingyang, Jinniu, Wuhou, Chenghua, Longquanyi, Qingbaijiang, Xindu, Wenjiang, Shuangliu, Pidu and Xinjin.
Another five prefecture-level cities governed by Chengdu, such as Jianyang, Dujiangyan, Pengzhou, Qionglai and Chongzhou are also on the list.
The banned area for UAV activities also spans another three counties in the vicinity of Chengdu and three new districts and satellite towns.
An official definition from the local public security bureau says that the UAVs being banned not just include drones and hot air balloons.
They also cover a wide range of flying objects such as lightweight plane, glider, delta wing, motorized delta wing, passenger-carrying balloon, hot air balloon, airship, paraglider, paramotor, drone, model plane and remoted-operated balloon.
These objects meet the criteria of low altitude and low speed, as well as a smaller radar cross section, says Chengdu public security bureau.
Radar cross section is the measure of a target’s ability to reflect radar signals in the direction of the radar receiver.
It’s normal for Chinese cities to put a partial or blanket ban on drone activity in the duration of major events like sports games to ensure public safety.
Chengdu authorities said that violations of the UAV ban are liable for penalties such as detention or even criminal prosecution.
