Beijing bans low flying vehicles during key meetings

BEIJING - Beijing will ban the flying of low, slow and small flying vehicles around the upcoming annual sessions of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies in March, local police said Wednesday.

The ban includes light and ultra light airplanes, gliders, delta-wing airplanes, hot air balloons and drones.

The ban will be effective starting Mar 2 until noon on the day after the closing day of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Other flights should first receive approvals from the military and civil aviation authorities.

Any violations are subject to severe punishment.

The police also ban the production, sale and flying of sky lanterns, saying they could cause fires.