As drones become a common sight in China’s skies, authorities are shifting from one-size-fits-all regulation to a more nuanced approach as they seek to balance management of a rapidly growing fleet with the sector’s billion-dollar market ambitions.

The country is promoting a new drone-clearance model in designated areas in Shanghai and in the southwestern province of Sichuan, a few months after abruptly banning all drones in Beijing, the national capital.

A new WeChat mini-program – dubbed “scan-and-fly” – now offers a streamlined fast track for low-risk flights within designated pilot zones, Xinhua reported on Monday, quoting the central air traffic management office.

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The millions of drones owned by Chinese businesses and individuals amid a nationwide tech frenzy are part of the “low-altitude economy”, a market worth 1.5 trillion yuan (US$221.8 billion) according to official figures, but unregulated flights are raising safety concerns and presenting authorities with a serious challenge.

The new platform allows users to view flying locations, altitude limits and aircraft specifications before logging their flights. The air traffic office pledged to promote the model with other departments to guide orderly and safe flying.

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The system vastly simplified declaration procedures for consumer and light-duty drones in fixed zones, according to Yu Jingbing, founder of the Shenzhen-based Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle training centre. “This helps expand drone applications and provides a strong boost to the low-altitude economy,” Yu said on Tuesday.
China’s drone fleet has grown rapidly. By the end of last year there were 3.287 million registered drones in the country, representing a 51 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.