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Influencer's Drone Flight Sparks Warnings Over Taiwan's Strict No-Fly Zones

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Taiwanese influencer, Zhong Mingxuan, faces potential fines for illegally operating a drone in a restricted flight zone near a nuclear power plant in southern Taiwan.
  • This incident highlights the numerous no-fly zones in the Hengchun Peninsula, which are strictly enforced due to proximity to airports and military facilities.
  • Authorities warn that drone operators face heavy penalties, regardless of when the footage was captured or posted online, emphasizing the need for thorough pre-flight checks.

Taiwanese influencer Zhong Mingxuan is under scrutiny for allegedly flying a drone in a restricted airspace near the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in southern Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. The incident, which occurred while he was filming a road trip, has sparked renewed attention to the strict aviation regulations in the region.

If any negligence is ultimately confirmed, I will calmly bear the responsibility that should be borne.

— Zhong MingxuanThe influencer's statement regarding the alleged illegal drone flight.

Zhong, known for his bold online commentary, has stated he will accept responsibility if any wrongdoing is confirmed. However, his case is far from isolated. The Hengchun Peninsula is a hotspot for illegal drone activity due to its complex airspace, which includes zones around the Hengchun Airport and the nuclear facility. Local authorities and drone enthusiasts emphasize that ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Past cases serve as stark warnings. In one instance, a promotional video for a lychee festival, filmed by an external contractor, led to a NT$300,000 fine two years after its online release. Another early case in 2015 involved a tourist fined the same amount for flying a drone near the Hengchun Old Town, close to the airport's no-fly zone. The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) and the Kenting National Park Administration have also reported numerous unannounced drone flights in popular tourist spots like Chushui, Maobitou, and Longpan Park.

There is no room for ignorance of the law in drone operations; even videos taken years ago can be penalized if reported after being posted online.

— Local drone playerWarning about the strict enforcement of drone regulations.

Drone players are urged to meticulously check airspace regulations using the CAA's mobile app before any flight. Violations of restricted or prohibited flight zones can result in administrative penalties ranging from NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million. The strict enforcement underscores the importance of compliance in Taiwan's sensitive airspace.

If you fly in a no-fly zone or restricted zone without permission, you will face an administrative penalty of NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million.

— Civil Aviation LawStating the legal consequences for violating flight restrictions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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