ISTANBUL

China adopted on Saturday a revision to the law on civil unmanned aircraft such as drones for regulation purposes, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The revised law was passed during the Standing Committee of the country's top legislative body, which concluded its 19th session Saturday in Beijing, and will become effective from July 1, 2026.

Under the revised law entities engaged in the design, production, import, maintenance and operation of civil unmanned aerial vehicles need to apply to authorities for airworthiness certification under national regulations, unless one is not required.

It also prohibits laser devices that could affect the use of visual navigation aids at airports, and provides a specific list of prohibited acts that may interfere with the airport electromagnetic environment.

Lawmakers also adopted laws 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 trade law revisions include strengthening intellectual property protection related to foreign trade, and improving China's legal toolkit in foreign trade arena, and corresponding countermeasures.

President Xi Jinping signed six presidential orders to promulgate the laws.

Earlier, it was also reported that the drafts on environmental code, promoting ethnic unity and progress, and national development planning would be submitted to the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress for further deliberation.