**China Enforces Sudden Ban on Portable Batteries for Flights Amid Safety Risks**

**China's recent ban on certain portable batteries for air travel has left many passengers in disbelief, as only two days’ notice preceded the regulations focused on safety concerns.**

Travelers in China are facing unexpected restrictions as they arrive at airports, only to learn that certain portable batteries are now prohibited from being taken aboard flights. This emergency ban, enacted by the nation's aviation authority, took effect recently and is part of a broader trend where governments and airlines globally are tightening rules around the use of portable batteries on aircraft.

In an abrupt move, China’s Civil Aviation Administration announced the ban with just two days’ notice, specifically targeting batteries that lack a clearly marked Chinese safety certification or are under recall. Such a swift implementation has sparked confusion, with many travelers expressing frustration over having to discard essential gadgets that have become ubiquitous in modern life.

This drastic measure arises from alarm over potential safety hazards posed by portable batteries, particularly following a series of widespread product recalls. Recently, millions of batteries from well-known manufacturers have been pulled from the market due to safety concerns about lithium-ion cells. This has resulted in heightened scrutiny from both the aviation authority and the market regulator, which has taken action against several companies involved in the production of these devices.

The civil aviation authority’s statement emphasized the inherent risks associated with unverified batteries, highlighting documented cases of battery fires onboard flights. As a result, travelers are now being advised that only batteries certified as safe will be permitted on planes, signaling the urgent need for greater attentiveness to battery safety by manufacturers and consumers alike.

Among manufacturers affected, Anker, one of the largest battery producers, has recalled over one million battery packs across different markets due to fire risks associated with specific lithium-ion cells. Romoss, another local manufacturer, has also initiated recalls for hundreds of thousands of batteries, citing safety issues tied to their batteries’ providers.

With an increasingly digital world reliant on portable power, this ban could pose significant challenges for consumers. Travelers moving forward will need to remain vigilant about the types and certifications of batteries they carry to avoid the inconvenience of their vital devices being left behind as they board flights.