With the approach of the Spring Festival beginning on February 12, police have reinforced fireworks inspections.

"All of these fireworks, valued at around 2.5 million yuan (US$302,200) were seized in the past month," said Chen Hangen, deputy director of the Shanghai Fire-fighting Department. "The destruction indicates our firm resolution to crack down on the production, transportation, storage and sale of these fireworks."

During the Spring Festival of 2000, two people were killed in two separate cases by substandard fireworks. One was a migrant worker who was lighting fireworks, and the other was a boy standing by watching.

By January 31, local police had confiscated 11,215 boxes of fireworks throughout the city.

After the seizure of 2,048 boxes in the Pudong New Area on January 7, police discovered 926 boxes at a local trade market a week later.

More than 100 firefighters helped with transporting the fireworks, which filled 11 trucks of 15 tons each.

About 900 litres of diesel oil and gasoline were poured onto the fireworks to help destroy them.

The fire began at 3:15 p.m. and lasted long into night.

For safety, police have already issued a notice about locations that prohibit fireworks. Setting off fireworks in areas within the Inner Ring Road are forbidden, and some surrounding areas such as business streets, ports, schools and hospitals are also banned from fireworks.

Allowing a traditional celebration of the festival by setting off fireworks in restricted areas, police have also placed tight restrictions on the production of fireworks.

(China Daily Febrary 4, 2002)