With
Spring Festival just around the corner, the
State Council has announced a regulation to control the sale
and purchase and use of fireworks under very strict conditions to
ensure a safe holiday season.
The new regulation imposes severe punishment on those charged
with the illegal production, marketing and transportation of
fireworks.
According to the regulation, the production and trading of
fireworks without valid permission will result in a fine between
20,000 (US$2,466) and 100,000 yuan (US$12,330). Profits from such
trading will be confiscated.?
Those found guilty of transporting fireworks without the
approval of the public security department will be fined between
10,000 (US$1,233) and 50,000 yuan (US$6,165).
As usual, the regulation also bans the installation or carrying
of fireworks on public transportation like trains and buses.
Authorized fireworks manufacturers must meet national and
industry standards in the production process. And workers must
receive professional training before they are employed.
Beijing authorities recently lifted a 12-year-old ban on
firecrackers for the duration of the Spring Festival
celebrations.
The sale of firecrackers, Roman candles, sparklers, cherry bombs
and other types of fireworks had been outlawed because of the
injuries and occasional deaths they caused, as well as the noise
and air pollution.
Firecrackers went on sale in shops around Beijing on Sunday.
(China Daily January 26, 2006)