Paraglider's high-altitude ordeal raises airspace safety concerns

"At mid-latitude regions like the Qilian Mountains, an altitude of over 8,000 meters lies in the upper-middle troposphere, where temperatures can plummet to -40 C and oxygen is critically thin," he said.

The flight has raised heated discussion on whether Peng's actions breached airspace rules and others, particularly as the altitude reached 8,598 meters, overlapping with commercial airline routes.

Authorities from Gansu Provincial Aeronautics and Sports Association, as well as relevant departments in Zhangye and Jiayuguan cities, have launched an investigation into this case, CCTV News reported on Wednesday.

"The behavior was very dangerous, because an altitude of around 8,000 meters is the cruising altitude for many domestic airlines' short-haul aircraft," Ge, a pilot, was quoted by Hongxing News, a Chinese news outlet founded by the Chengdu Economic Daily.

A collision might break an aircraft's hull or engine, forcing an emergency descent, Ge added.

The Paragliding Management Measures issued by the General Administration of Sport of China stipulate that paragliding activities must submit flight plans to local air traffic control authorities for approval before implementation.

Organizers are required to thoroughly assess weather conditions, strictly adhere to safe meteorological standards for takeoff, and are strictly prohibited from flying in adverse weather such as clouds, fog, or rainfall.