Beijing mulls banning fireworks in city proper

Speakers: Li Ningjing and Sam Duckett

[Photo: thinkstockphotos.com]

The Beijing municipal legislature is discussing amending its fireworks management regulations to ban fireworks all year long in light of the city's heavy air pollution and casualties caused by fireworks during festivals.

A draft amendment on Beijing municipal fireworks safety and management regulations was rendered to the standing committee of the Beijing municipal people's congress for deliberation.

According to the draft, setting off fireworks will be banned within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing.

This means residents in the city proper will not be allowed to use fireworks on the Lunar New Year, China's most important festival of family reunion. Chinese people often celebrate the holiday by setting off fireworks.

The number of heavy air pollution days during the seven-day festival reached two to four days each year during the past five years.

The office solicited public opinion about the draft amendment, with over 83 percent of participants supporting the ban.

The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.