Beijing bans kites, pigeon flying in preparation for China’s 70th anniversary parade
- Balloons, drones also grounded as government imposes two-week restriction ahead of October 1 celebrations to mark founding of People’s Republic
- More than 100,000 people expected to take part in ‘mass pageantry’ in Tiananmen Square
China has banned the flying of kites, drones and pigeons over central Beijing for more than two weeks as it prepares for a military parade and other celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule on October 1.
Flying activities that affect flight safety are prohibited in seven of the capital’s 16 districts from Sunday to October 1, according to a notice on the municipal government’s website. The banned activities also include flying balloons and lanterns.
The parade is part of a huge ceremony planned at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Communist forces took power after defeating Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist army in a civil war. The Nationalists subsequently retreated to the island of Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the ceremony, and more than 100,000 people will take part in what is described as a “mass pageantry”.
