The Power Shift | Toy planes targeted in Beijing's newest 'Sparta' rule
Following the ill fate of taxis and fruit knives, toy planes in Beijing are also facing a crackdown ahead of the 18th party congress. Residents in Beijing now need to present their identification cards to purchase a remote-controlled toy plane, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Thursday. The procedure is almost as strict as boarding a real airplane.
Authorities apparently regard toy planes more “threatening” than real ones. Perhaps it is because toy planes can be harder for the police to monitor – plus, these pilots don’t need any licence.
So when toy planes do take over the skies of Tiananmen Square, police can now track the buyer or arrest the seller if no ID is registered.
The toy plane announcement comes just days before the opening of 18th party congress on November 8. Authorities are also clamping down on fruit knives (don’t buy them!) and campaigning via taxi (keep windows and doors tightly shut!).
Popular lyricist Gao Xiaosong wrote on his Weibo that major TV stations have began banning songs with the word “die” or “down” in it because of fears over bad luck.