Beijing's municipal government published a draft regulation online on Monday to seek public opinion until the end of this month on fireworks safety and management. The proposed rules would loosen the ban currently covering most of the capital.

During the 15 days between the Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) and the Lantern Festival, the draft proposes that fireworks be allowed between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM outside the urban areas of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan districts. However, fireworks within 100 meters of cultural and historic sites, hospitals, gas stations, etc. would still be proscribed.

On special occasions, important ceremonies or holidays, it would allow the use of fireworks in assigned areas and at times approved by the municipal government.

Once adopted, it would abolish the tough regulations brought into effect in 1993, which banned fireworks in the eight urban districts apart from approved remote areas of Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan.

The municipal government will publish recognized brands of fireworks to encourage safety.

Illegal sellers of fireworks would be fined between 3 and 10 times the goods' total value with all stock confiscated.

(Beijing Youth Daily translated by Li Shen for China.org.cn, May 18, 2005)