The State Council has unveiled a new regulation to severely punish the illegal production, marketing and transportation of fireworks, to ensure a safe festival.

According to the regulation, producing and trading fireworks without permission will result in a fine of 20,000 yuan (US$2,466) to 100,000 yuan, (US$12,330) and all of the illegal profits from the business will be confiscated.

The transport of fireworks unapproved by the public security department will also be fined 10,000 yuan (US$ 1,233) to 50,000 yuan (US$ 6,165), the regulation said.

The policy came because many Chinese are expecting to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in a very traditional way by letting off fireworks to bring good luck.

According to statistics from the General Administration of Work Safety, there were 187 people killed in 87 accidental fireworks explosions throughout the country last year between January and November.

As usual, the regulation also bans the posting or carrying of fireworks on public transportation like trains and buses.

Authorized fireworks manufacturers must meet the national and industry standards in the production process.

Workers must receive professional training before they engage in the production.

Due to the popular demand for tradition during the Lunar New Year, Beijing authorities lifted a 12-year-old ban on fireworks and authorized shops to begin to sell them on Sunday.

The sale of firecrackers, Roman candles, sparklers, cherry bombs and other fireworks had been outlawed because of the injuries and occasional deaths they caused, as well as the noise and air pollution.

(China Daily January 26, 2006)