China's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), concluded its 19th session on December 27, 2025, in Beijing, adopting several significant law revisions and new legislation. Among the key measures is a comprehensive update to the Civil Aviation Law, which for the first time formally regulates civil unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), introducing mandatory airworthiness certification requirements to enhance safety and support the country's burgeoning low-altitude economy.
The revised Civil Aviation Law, effective from July 1, 2026, expands the 1995 legislation to 16 chapters and 262 articles, with a dedicated chapter on civilian uncrewed aircraft. Entities involved in the design, production, import, maintenance, and operation of drones must apply for airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), unless exempted (e.g., for micro, light, and small drones). Manufacturers are required to assign unique product identification codes to each unit. The law also prohibits laser devices interfering with airport visual navigation aids and lists acts disrupting airport electromagnetic environments.
This reform addresses a longstanding regulatory gap, building on interim 2024 regulations requiring real-name registration for civil drones. It aligns with China's strategic push for the low-altitude economy—commercial activities below 3,000 meters—projected to reach over 2 trillion yuan ($280 billion) by 2030 from 1.5 trillion in 2025.
The session also adopted a new Law on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals, revisions to the Fisheries Law, the Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, and the Foreign Trade Law. The Foreign Trade Law updates, effective March 1, 2026, strengthen intellectual property protection in trade, improve countermeasures against external restrictions, and promote digital and green trade development.
President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders promulgating these laws. The meeting further decided to submit drafts of an Environmental Code, a law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, and a national development planning law to the fourth session of the 14th NPC for deliberation.
These legislative actions reflect China's focus on modernizing governance, enhancing safety in emerging sectors like drones, and bolstering economic resilience amid global trade dynamics.
