Happy New Year? Beijing risks turning celebrations into damp squib with fireworks ban
Capital of the nation that invented fireworks over a thousand years ago bans them as part of latest crackdown on dangerous activities
China may have invented fireworks but Beijing banned them from the capital on Friday ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations, as authorities clamp down on potentially dangerous activities.
The new regulation was passed by the local government, state news agency Xinhua said, and comes amid a citywide campaign that is driving an estimated tens of thousands of migrants from homes that authorities deem unsafe following a deadly fire.
In a country that is known for its fireworks – and is thought to have invented them more than a thousand years ago during the Tang dynasty (618-907) – the ban is not likely to be popular.
During the 15-day Lunar New Year period, the bangs, pops and flickers of fireworks are constant, and are thought to drive away evil spirits.
It is unclear if Beijing authorities will enforce the ban during the boisterous national holidays as well.
Firework sellers are worried though.