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Jessica Li

“TOTAL BAN ON FIREWORKS; To Stop Bomb-Making,” ran the headline in the South China Morning Post on September 9, 1967.
“Government introduced an emergency regulation yesterday banning the public from carrying or storing fireworks,” ran the story. “Immediate action was taken to withdraw fireworks from shops [...]
“Altogether, about 30 tons of fireworks were removed.”


Penalties for carrying or storing more than 22kg of fireworks without a licence increased from a fine of HK$2,000 and six months in jail to HK$8,000 and three years.
The ban was an attempt by the authorities to impede the manufacturing of home-made bombs amid the 1967 leftist riots, during which fake and real explosive devices were placed around the colony.
The fireworks ban sparked leftist opposition and, on October 1, the Post reported that a Communist lighter barge carrying 187 cases of fireworks bound for China National Day celebrations in Hong Kong had been turned back to Canton.
Witnesses to anarchy: the 1967 riots in Hong Kong, by some of those caught up in the violence
Under the headline “VIOLENCE AT WEST POINT; Man Shot Dead As Reds Ignore Fireworks Ban”, on October 2, the Post reported: “Fireworks let off in defiance of Government’s ban resulted in two distur­bances on the waterfront of Western District in which one man was shot dead and 82 people were arrested last night.

“Thousands of people gathered along Connaught Road West to watch a fireworks display on the roof of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Co, Ltd, and on Communist river boats anchored offshore.
Five-hundred riot police were deployed and tear-gas was fired to disperse crowds. One man was shot during exchanges as protesters sent bottles raining down on the police.
“Firecrackers were let off by the crowd”, the Post reported. “Cheers followed each explosion. At the same time, a Communist boat anchored about 20 yards from the shore began broadcasting protests against the police action on shore.”
What sparked Hong Kong’s Double Tenth riots
A woman’s voice was heard repeatedly saying, “We are on Chinese boats, we have a right to celebrate the 18th National Day of the People’s Republic of China.”
The total ban would not be lifted until April 1975, when it was announced government-organised fireworks displays would be permitted for special occasions.


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From our archives

From the archives: how 1967 riots led to Hong Kong fireworks ban

Ballistics experts detonate a bomb in Wan Chai, in 1967. Pictures: SCMP

A police detective carrying away three fake bombs found in Nam Cheong Street, Shamshuipo, after they had been detonated. At about the same time, three other bombs were thrown at a police vehicle. One of them exploded causing damage to the vehicle.

Rifle-carrying police at the waterfront of Connaught Road West looking up at fireworks being let off from the roof of China Merchants Steam Navigation Co Ltd in defiance of a government ban on fireworks. The police later arrested eighty-two people and shot one dead in the disturbances that ensued.

Witnesses to anarchy: the 1967 riots in Hong Kong, by some of those caught up in the violence

Rioters burn bamboo baskets in 1967. Picture: SCMP

Portrait of (L to R) Peter Tsang Yu-hung and James Elms. James was a police inspector on duty at the 1967 Hong Kong riots and Peter was a leftist student who was arrested and imprisoned during that time. 26JUL13

A man in a typical Cultural Revolution-style uniform is questioned by police during a clash in San Po Kong. 12MAY67

Young students join a left-wing protest outside Government House.

Former chief secretary David Akers-Jones said if Antony Leung Kam-chung was to run for the chief executive, Leung must let Hongkongers know more about his plan, his background, and his views on public policy. 01SEP15

UNDATED PHOTO. Riot police forces clash with demonstrators, May 1967.

Police officers investigating inside the car that was damaged by an explosion earlier in a side lane in Ching Wah Street, North Point. A seven-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother were killed in front of the car. Apparently they picked up the container that had explosives inside, thinking it was a toy. 20AUG67

A leftist being arrested after a police raid on the Taikoo Dock Workers' Union and the Metal Workers' Union in Shau Kei Wan. A number of weapons including 366 bottles of acid was also seized.

Police officers examining a basement ventilator of the Morning Post Building at Wyndham Street, Central, through which two bombs were thrown. Luckily, no damage or casualties were reported.

Soldiers are called in to deal with a disturbance in a Kowloon street.

Black and white photo. Riot 1967. An angry demonstrator (red guard) in a protest at the Government House. 19 May 1967.

Joseph Cheng Yu-shek, convenor of the Alliance for True Democracy, is interviewed at his office at City University, Kowloon Tong. 11APR13

Handout image shows a portrait of Gary Harilela. 18APRIL2017 [18APRIL2017]

Protesters clash with police in Central in May 1967. Picture: SCMP

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO. Demonstrators marching to Central pass through Wyndham Street during the 1967 riots, 22 MAY 67.

Curious onlookers gather at Johnston Road to see an army bomb expert examine a suspected bomb.

For Post Magazine Features Story. Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong in Hong Kong. 12JAN13 [MUST CHECK WITH PHOTODESK BEFORE USE]

What sparked Hong Kong’s Double Tenth riots

The politically motivated riots that rocked Kowloon in 1956 left 60 people dead and 500 injured

Picture shows a tearout from the South China Morning Post dated October 12, 1956 with headlines More Than 30 Killed, Inter-Faction Fighting in Tsun Wan Area, Long Curfew Imposed on the Kowloon Peninsula, Foreigners Injured during the Double Ten riots. [09OCTOBER2016 THEN AND NOW POST MAGAZINE]

Picture shows a tearout from the South China Morning Post dated October 15, 1956 with headlines Situation In Kowloon Continues To B Quiet during the Double Ten riots. [09OCTOBER2016 THEN AND NOW POST MAGAZINE]

Picture shows members of the Pakistan contigent of the Hong Kong Police, called from the New Territories, with gas masks standing by, during the October 1956 double ten riots. [09OCTOBER2016 THEN AND NOW POST MAGAZINE]

A photograph published in the South China Morning Post on October 11, 1956, the day after rioting broke out in Kowloon.

When ‘picnic tragedy’ flash flood in Hong Kong left 28 dead on an August day 62 years ago

Groups from Kowloon-Canton Railway Staff Club and the St James’ Settlement, including many children, were enjoying a Sunday outing at Taipo Kau when calamity struck in 1955

Clipping of SCMP from Monday August 29, 1955

To this day children are drawn to the natural beauty of Tai Po Kau, where 62 years ago a party of youngsters were swept to their death by a flash flood. Photo: David Wong

The deadly 1972 twin landslides in Hong Kong that claimed 138 lives in a day

The site where the 12-storey Kotewall Court toppled after a downpour on June 18, 1972. Pictures: SCMP

On-the-spot...Governor Sir Murray MacLehose exchanging words with Morris Lane, the Chief Fire Officer, at the scene of a landslide where the Kotewall Court collapsed during a heavy downpour.

Officials are in an emergency operation to rescue victims from a landslide at the site of the Sau Mau Ping Class II Resite area. Torrential rainfall triggered off the landslide which wiped out squatter huts in the area.

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Anyone carrying or storing more than 22kg of fireworks without a licence faced up to three years in prison. The total ban, however, was lifted in 1975


From the archives: how 1967 riots led to Hong Kong fireworks ban

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Anyone carrying or storing more than 22kg of fireworks without a licence faced up to three years in prison. The total ban, however, was lifted in 1975

Anyone carrying or storing more than 22kg of fireworks without a licence faced up to three years in prison. The total ban, however, was lifted in 1975