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)