Draft Measures: Yunnan Civil UAVs
Feedback is accepted until August 30.
On July 30, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Justice issued an announcement to publish and solicit public comments on the “Yunnan Provincial Public Management Measures for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Draft)” drafted by the Yunnan Provincial Public Security Department, with feedback accepted until August 30, 2026.
Below is an unofficial English translation of the draft.
Before we get into it —
A Note to Readers – On International Adaptation
A student reader recently asked whether China would object to other countries using its regulatory frameworks to develop their own national AAM rule.
While I do not speak for, nor represent, the Chinese government, my understanding —grounded in China’s established practices — is that such use is acceptable.
The sharing of regulatory models and technical standards, and their subsequent adaptation to local conditions, is a foundational principle of multilateral cooperation.
Policy dialogue, knowledge transfer, and capacity-building are components of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), alongside its infrastructure projects. China has also engaged in international UAV standard-setting efforts (e.g., ISO).
This practice is not unique to China; rather, many countries routinely turn to established frameworks such as those of the FAA (United States) and EASA (Europe) when shaping their own national aviation rules, reflecting a broader global tradition of regulatory benchmarking and adaptation.
Professionally, I have actively shared Canadian examples across different domains as well — including the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s Safety Issue Investigation (SII) titled “Raising the Bar on Safety: Reducing the Risks Associated with Air‑taxi Operations in Canada”.
At the international level, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides the foundational framework for global aviation safety, security, and environmental stewardship.
While ICAO's current Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) primarily address crewed aviation, its principles — including regulatory harmonization and inter-operability — are relevant to States developing so-called Advanced Air Mobility rules.
Coordination across jurisdictions is one approach to standardization. Such coordination can facilitate cross‑border operations and technological development.
By aligning national frameworks with internationally recognized principles, the global community moves closer to a cohesive, safe, and sustainable ecosystem for the next generation of flight — and for the next generation of aviation professionals.
That said, please bear in mind —
Drafts remains subject to revision (including the below draft).
Any adaptation must carefully account for your country’s specific legal system, airspace structure, operational needs, and sovereignty.
The translations contained in China eVTOL News is unofficial and provided for reference only — the original Chinese text should always be consulted for legal precision.
Now, let’s get into it.
On July 31, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Justice published the Yunnan Provincial Public Safety Management Measures for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Draft) for a second round of public consultation, with feedback accepted until August 30, 2026.
The draft was originally prepared by the Yunnan Provincial Public Security Department and published in an earlier exposure draft on April 30, 2026.
Its publication by the Department of Justice marks its entry into the provincial government’s formal legislative review process.
The draft contains 5 chapters and 33 articles, covering general principles, division of responsibilities among government departments, operational safety requirements, legal liability, and supplementary provisions.
It establishes a regulatory framework for UAV operations within Yunnan Province, addressing flight applications, airspace management, real‑name registration, insurance, and prohibited acts.
The measures are intended to balance safety oversight with the development of the low‑altitude economy.
The draft text has been translated below.