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 Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) and the Lantern Festival, the draft proposes that fireworks should be allowed between 8 AM and 10 PM outside the eight urban districts of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan.

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.

Fireworks within 100 meters of cultural and historic sites, hospitals, gas stations, etc would still be proscribed and recognized brands of fireworks published to encourage safety.

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

(Beijing Youth Daily translated by Li Shen, May 18, 2005)