2 men arrested over flying drones near Chinese army assault ship docked in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Free Press
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of flying drones in a restricted zone where a Chinese army assault vessel was docked during a five-day visit.
A 35-year-old man surnamed Wong, and a 18-year-old man surnamed Yeung, were apprehended at the China Merchants Wharf near Kennedy Town on Friday and Saturday. They were suspected of breaching the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order.
Two drones were seized during the arrests. Both men were released on bail and have to report to police in late December.
The Civil Aviation Department had set up a temporary restricted flying zone around the wharf where the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s assault ship Hainan was berthed. The vessel, along with destroyer Changsha docked at Stonecutters Island, arrived in the city last Thursday for a five-day visit.
The flying restriction came into effect at 9 am on Thursday and was in place until 4 pm on Monday.
Police said on Saturday that they would not tolerate any behaviour endangering public safety and aviation security.
“Anyone who operates a small drone near the vicinity of a People’s Liberation Army vessel without authorisation is committing an offense. The maximum penalty is a fine of HK$100,000 and up to two years of imprisonment,” a Chinese statement from the police read.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order, which came into force in June 2022, prohibits any flight of a small unmanned aircraft within a restricted flying zone without permission. Hong Kong authorities earlier imposed flying restrictions on the city’s handover anniversary, as well as during the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping on July 1, 2022, to mark the 25th Handover anniversary and the inauguration of Chief Executive John Lee and his administration.
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