Unauthorized high-altitude drone flights—known as “black flying”—have continued to escalate, thrusting drone airspace safety management back into the public spotlight.

Recently, Hong Kong actor Alex Lee posted a video on social media calling for strict punishment of those operating unauthorized drones. In the video, he stated: “I saw a drone flying at the same altitude as commercial airliners—right along one of China’s busiest flight corridors. This isn’t just drone flying; it’s playing with the lives of everyone on board those planes and putting people on the ground at risk.”

The incident Lee referred to originated from a video posted by online blogger “Map Detective,” which showed a drone breaking through cloud layers and repeatedly entering airspace near commercial airline routes at altitudes approaching 10,000 meters.

According to the blogger, multiple incidents of unauthorized high-altitude drone operations have recently occurred in Yingde and Zhongshan in Guangdong Province, as well as Zixing in Hunan Province. Some drones reportedly flew above 8,000 meters—mere meters away from cruising passenger jets. At one launch site, nearly 100 commercial flights passed within a 10-kilometer radius.

Typically, for safety reasons, drones are factory-equipped with geofencing and altitude limits. The blogger noted that the individuals involved likely performed brute-force modifications or firmware hacks to bypass these restrictions. To evade detection and reporting, some even fabricated altitude exemption permits using photo-editing software (“Photoshopping”).

What Restrictions Apply to Drone Operations?

“This is absolutely not ‘enthusiast exploration’—it’s a serious public safety hazard caused by the misuse of technology,” said Qiao Shanshun, Executive Director of the Low-Altitude Economy Development Research Center at Henan Vocational College of Industry and Trade, in an interview with The Paper. He emphasized that flying drones between 8,000 and 10,000 meters directly intrudes into the core cruising altitude layer of commercial aircraft, which typically fly at speeds of 800–900 km/h. A collision at such altitudes would be catastrophic.

In recent years, numerous regions have reported flight delays caused by unauthorized drone activity, leading public security authorities to impose administrative detentions and fines on offenders.

DJI, a global leader in consumer drones, clearly outlines China’s core regulatory requirements for drone operations on its official website. According to DJI, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is the primary regulator, having established a series of regulations to ensure safe drone operations nationwide. Key rules include: checking CAAC’s official website before flying; no dropping or transporting items; maintaining visual line-of-sight; daytime-only operations; a maximum altitude of 120 meters; and mandatory real-name registration.

Additionally, DJI lists several operational prohibitions and special requirements: do not operate under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other impairing substances; check local no-fly zones before flying; obtain third-party liability insurance; minors must not operate drones unaccompanied; commercial drone use requires an operating license; and operators must stay clear of airports, national borders, military zones, municipal-level (or higher) government buildings, detention facilities, power plants, substations, gas stations, major transportation hubs, large public events, high-speed rail lines, conventional railways, and provincial-level highways.

On December 11, a reporter from The Paper contacted DJI’s customer service, who explained that users can check altitude and area restrictions via DJI’s map platform. Standard restricted zones cap flight altitude at 120 meters. To exceed this limit, users must submit a special application form endorsed by relevant authorities—including public security, civil aviation, or military departments—with approved altitudes determined based on specific needs and regulatory approvals.

The representative added that DJI implements strict technical compliance measures, including geofencing and firmware-based altitude limits, to mitigate risks at the source. While DJI does not proactively collect user flight data, it can provide relevant information to assist investigations when legally required. To date, the company has received few reports concerning unauthorized drone flights.

DJI’s official online store customer service further clarified that flights below 120 meters in designated open airspace do not require prior approval from civil aviation authorities, but users must remain aware of any temporary local restrictions, ensure they are outside no-fly zones, and comply with all safety regulations. For flights requiring altitude exemptions, users must apply through the UOM (Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Supervision Platform) app. However, the current application process remains incomplete, and users are advised to use the app’s “Consultation” feature to seek guidance from civil aviation technical support.

How Can Unauthorized Drone Flights Be Better Prevented?

In response to the growing threat of “black flying,” Chinese authorities are intensifying efforts across technological and policy dimensions.

Effective January 1, 2024, China’s Provisional Regulations on the Management of Unmanned Aircraft Operations (the “Regulations”) officially took effect. The Regulations mandate that all civilian unmanned aircraft owners must complete real-name registration, with specific procedures jointly formulated by the State Council’s civil aviation authority and other relevant departments. Drones operating internationally must also undergo nationality registration. Unauthorized operation of unregistered drones may result in fines of up to RMB 200; in serious cases, penalties range from RMB 2,000 to RMB 20,000.

The CAAC had already established a drone real-name registration system years ago. The formal implementation of the Regulations now provides clearer legal grounding for holding owners accountable for failing to register their drones.

On November 27, 2024, Xinhua News Agency reported that, to standardize drone operations and curb illegal activities like “black flying,” the Central Air Traffic Management Office, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security, jointly established an electronic geofence system covering Beijing’s entire administrative region, activated on December 1 at midnight. The Office urged all drone manufacturers to pre-install updated geofence data and called on users to comply with laws and update their systems promptly. Any deliberate attempts to circumvent or disable the electronic geofence will be met with severe legal consequences.

Notably, in a November 2024 notice, the CAAC stipulated that operators of light, small, medium, and large civilian drones must ensure their aircraft continuously transmit real-time flight data to the UOM platform during operations and must not disable this function. Manufacturers are required to equip light and small drones with the capability to automatically report dynamic flight data to UOM as mandated.

In December 2024, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration) approved two mandatory national standards: “Requirements for Real-Name Registration and Activation of Civilian Unmanned Aircraft” and “Operational Identification Specifications for Civilian Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” The former defines workflows for registration, activation, deactivation, data exchange interfaces, and cybersecurity levels, explicitly stating that drones cannot fly before activation or after deactivation. The latter requires drones to continuously broadcast identity, position, speed, and status information from startup through flight completion, enabling regulators to monitor all drone activities in real time. These standards address the critical questions of “who is allowed to fly” and “who is flying,” and will take full effect on May 1, 2026.

Beyond regulatory measures, counter-drone technologies are also advancing. According to Qiao Shanshun, current countermeasures primarily fall into two categories: signal jamming/disruption and physical interception via lasers or net-capture systems.

Why didn’t existing electronic geofences prevent these extreme violations? Qiao explained that this highlights a fierce asymmetry between malicious actors and defensive capabilities. Conventional civilian jamming devices typically have effective ranges below 3,000 meters; countering drones at 10,000 meters would require airborne or high-power ground-based systems, which are difficult to deploy widely due to electromagnetic compatibility and safety constraints in civil aviation airspace. Laser or net-based interception is also impractical near busy commercial flight paths.

Therefore, the key to prevention lies in establishing a “digital identity” system and “omnipresent situational awareness.” For example, every drone should broadcast its identity, location, and altitude in real time upon takeoff to a central regulatory platform. Additionally, phased-array radars or RF detection systems tailored for “low, slow, small” targets should be deployed in urban cores to build a comprehensive low-altitude radar network.

Future strategies should also adopt a “carrot-and-stick” approach through a credit-based governance system. Qiao proposed implementing a “blacklist”: individuals with records of malicious firmware tampering or high-altitude black flying should be permanently banned from purchasing, owning, or operating drones and included in the national social credit system. Moreover, manufacturers must assume greater responsibility—they cannot simply “wash their hands” of misuse. Cloud-based real-time backup mechanisms for flight data, especially anomalous high-altitude logs, should be mandatory. Authorities must also crack down on the underground market: not only apprehend rogue pilots but also dismantle networks supplying drone-hacking software.

As previously reported by The Paper, Xiao Qiufeng, Chief Expert at China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), stated at a technical symposium on low-altitude radio spectrum security in Shanghai in late September that as drones become more prevalent, their risks—from accidental crashes to intentional attacks—are increasingly threatening urban centers. He advocated building an integrated drone defense system featuring coordinated architecture, combined hardware-software countermeasures, and layered interception capabilities, with enhanced real-time multi-source data fusion and command coordination to protect critical infrastructure and public safety.

The symposium concluded that China must accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies—particularly intelligent low-altitude spectrum sensing, anti-jamming communications, and precision navigation—and expedite the construction of low-altitude radio testbeds. It also emphasized the urgent need to develop unified standards through collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and end-users, covering spectrum management, equipment certification, and safety protocols.

Unauthorized high-altitude drone flights—known as “black flying”—have continued to escalate, thrusting drone airspace safety management back into the public spotlight.

Recently, Hong Kong actor Alex Lee posted a video on social media calling for strict punishment of those operating unauthorized drones. In the video, he stated: “I saw a drone flying at the same altitude as commercial airliners—right along one of China’s busiest flight corridors. This isn’t just drone flying; it’s playing with the lives of everyone on board those planes and putting people on the ground at risk.”

The incident Lee referred to originated from a video posted by online blogger “Map Detective,” which showed a drone breaking through cloud layers and repeatedly entering airspace near commercial airline routes at altitudes approaching 10,000 meters.

According to the blogger, multiple incidents of unauthorized high-altitude drone operations have recently occurred in Yingde and Zhongshan in Guangdong Province, as well as Zixing in Hunan Province. Some drones reportedly flew above 8,000 meters—mere meters away from cruising passenger jets. At one launch site, nearly 100 commercial flights passed within a 10-kilometer radius.

Typically, for safety reasons, drones are factory-equipped with geofencing and altitude limits. The blogger noted that the individuals involved likely performed brute-force modifications or firmware hacks to bypass these restrictions. To evade detection and reporting, some even fabricated altitude exemption permits using photo-editing software (“Photoshopping”).

What Restrictions Apply to Drone Operations?

“This is absolutely not ‘enthusiast exploration’—it’s a serious public safety hazard caused by the misuse of technology,” said Qiao Shanshun, Executive Director of the Low-Altitude Economy Development Research Center at Henan Vocational College of Industry and Trade, in an interview with The Paper. He emphasized that flying drones between 8,000 and 10,000 meters directly intrudes into the core cruising altitude layer of commercial aircraft, which typically fly at speeds of 800–900 km/h. A collision at such altitudes would be catastrophic.

In recent years, numerous regions have reported flight delays caused by unauthorized drone activity, leading public security authorities to impose administrative detentions and fines on offenders.

DJI, a global leader in consumer drones, clearly outlines China’s core regulatory requirements for drone operations on its official website. According to DJI, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is the primary regulator, having established a series of regulations to ensure safe drone operations nationwide. Key rules include: checking CAAC’s official website before flying; no dropping or transporting items; maintaining visual line-of-sight; daytime-only operations; a maximum altitude of 120 meters; and mandatory real-name registration.

Additionally, DJI lists several operational prohibitions and special requirements: do not operate under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other impairing substances; check local no-fly zones before flying; obtain third-party liability insurance; minors must not operate drones unaccompanied; commercial drone use requires an operating license; and operators must stay clear of airports, national borders, military zones, municipal-level (or higher) government buildings, detention facilities, power plants, substations, gas stations, major transportation hubs, large public events, high-speed rail lines, conventional railways, and provincial-level highways.

On December 11, a reporter from The Paper contacted DJI’s customer service, who explained that users can check altitude and area restrictions via DJI’s map platform. Standard restricted zones cap flight altitude at 120 meters. To exceed this limit, users must submit a special application form endorsed by relevant authorities—including public security, civil aviation, or military departments—with approved altitudes determined based on specific needs and regulatory approvals.

The representative added that DJI implements strict technical compliance measures, including geofencing and firmware-based altitude limits, to mitigate risks at the source. While DJI does not proactively collect user flight data, it can provide relevant information to assist investigations when legally required. To date, the company has received few reports concerning unauthorized drone flights.

DJI’s official online store customer service further clarified that flights below 120 meters in designated open airspace do not require prior approval from civil aviation authorities, but users must remain aware of any temporary local restrictions, ensure they are outside no-fly zones, and comply with all safety regulations. For flights requiring altitude exemptions, users must apply through the UOM (Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Supervision Platform) app. However, the current application process remains incomplete, and users are advised to use the app’s “Consultation” feature to seek guidance from civil aviation technical support.

How Can Unauthorized Drone Flights Be Better Prevented?

In response to the growing threat of “black flying,” Chinese authorities are intensifying efforts across technological and policy dimensions.

Effective January 1, 2024, China’s Provisional Regulations on the Management of Unmanned Aircraft Operations (the “Regulations”) officially took effect. The Regulations mandate that all civilian unmanned aircraft owners must complete real-name registration, with specific procedures jointly formulated by the State Council’s civil aviation authority and other relevant departments. Drones operating internationally must also undergo nationality registration. Unauthorized operation of unregistered drones may result in fines of up to RMB 200; in serious cases, penalties range from RMB 2,000 to RMB 20,000.

The CAAC had already established a drone real-name registration system years ago. The formal implementation of the Regulations now provides clearer legal grounding for holding owners accountable for failing to register their drones.

On November 27, 2024, Xinhua News Agency reported that, to standardize drone operations and curb illegal activities like “black flying,” the Central Air Traffic Management Office, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security, jointly established an electronic geofence system covering Beijing’s entire administrative region, activated on December 1 at midnight. The Office urged all drone manufacturers to pre-install updated geofence data and called on users to comply with laws and update their systems promptly. Any deliberate attempts to circumvent or disable the electronic geofence will be met with severe legal consequences.

Notably, in a November 2024 notice, the CAAC stipulated that operators of light, small, medium, and large civilian drones must ensure their aircraft continuously transmit real-time flight data to the UOM platform during operations and must not disable this function. Manufacturers are required to equip light and small drones with the capability to automatically report dynamic flight data to UOM as mandated.

In December 2024, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration) approved two mandatory national standards: “Requirements for Real-Name Registration and Activation of Civilian Unmanned Aircraft” and “Operational Identification Specifications for Civilian Unmanned Aircraft Systems.” The former defines workflows for registration, activation, deactivation, data exchange interfaces, and cybersecurity levels, explicitly stating that drones cannot fly before activation or after deactivation. The latter requires drones to continuously broadcast identity, position, speed, and status information from startup through flight completion, enabling regulators to monitor all drone activities in real time. These standards address the critical questions of “who is allowed to fly” and “who is flying,” and will take full effect on May 1, 2026.

Beyond regulatory measures, counter-drone technologies are also advancing. According to Qiao Shanshun, current countermeasures primarily fall into two categories: signal jamming/disruption and physical interception via lasers or net-capture systems.

Why didn’t existing electronic geofences prevent these extreme violations? Qiao explained that this highlights a fierce asymmetry between malicious actors and defensive capabilities. Conventional civilian jamming devices typically have effective ranges below 3,000 meters; countering drones at 10,000 meters would require airborne or high-power ground-based systems, which are difficult to deploy widely due to electromagnetic compatibility and safety constraints in civil aviation airspace. Laser or net-based interception is also impractical near busy commercial flight paths.

Therefore, the key to prevention lies in establishing a “digital identity” system and “omnipresent situational awareness.” For example, every drone should broadcast its identity, location, and altitude in real time upon takeoff to a central regulatory platform. Additionally, phased-array radars or RF detection systems tailored for “low, slow, small” targets should be deployed in urban cores to build a comprehensive low-altitude radar network.

Future strategies should also adopt a “carrot-and-stick” approach through a credit-based governance system. Qiao proposed implementing a “blacklist”: individuals with records of malicious firmware tampering or high-altitude black flying should be permanently banned from purchasing, owning, or operating drones and included in the national social credit system. Moreover, manufacturers must assume greater responsibility—they cannot simply “wash their hands” of misuse. Cloud-based real-time backup mechanisms for flight data, especially anomalous high-altitude logs, should be mandatory. Authorities must also crack down on the underground market: not only apprehend rogue pilots but also dismantle networks supplying drone-hacking software.

As previously reported by The Paper, Xiao Qiufeng, Chief Expert at China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), stated at a technical symposium on low-altitude radio spectrum security in Shanghai in late September that as drones become more prevalent, their risks—from accidental crashes to intentional attacks—are increasingly threatening urban centers. He advocated building an integrated drone defense system featuring coordinated architecture, combined hardware-software countermeasures, and layered interception capabilities, with enhanced real-time multi-source data fusion and command coordination to protect critical infrastructure and public safety.

The symposium concluded that China must accelerate breakthroughs in core technologies—particularly intelligent low-altitude spectrum sensing, anti-jamming communications, and precision navigation—and expedite the construction of low-altitude radio testbeds. It also emphasized the urgent need to develop unified standards through collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and end-users, covering spectrum management, equipment certification, and safety protocols.