Chinese debate the right to set off fireworks on New Year's Day

Several Chinese localities have banned fireworks ahead of the Lunar New Year, sparking debate on social media about the right to set off fireworks.

In 2017, 444 Chinese cities banned the production, sale, and use of fireworks outright. Some cities have limited the scope of their use to certain times of the year and in designated locations.

This month, more localities announced bans on fireworks, sparking debate on social media.

"We have the right to set off fireworks," one person wrote on Weibo.

A man lights a firecracker near a fireworks factory in Hunan, China in 2018. Photo: Reuters

According to Chinese folklore, the custom of setting off firecrackers originated more than 2,000 years ago to ward off "Nian", a mythical beast that often roamed villages, destroying houses and eating villagers on New Year's Eve. Villagers discovered that "Nian" was afraid of loud noises. So they poured gunpowder into dry bamboo tubes and threw them into the fire. The explosion scared the beast away, driving it away from the village. Later, firecrackers were used to celebrate many other holidays.

However, some people believe that banning firecrackers is necessary to protect the environment. "Firecrackers need to be controlled to control pollution and ensure fire safety," another person wrote on Weibo.

According to an online poll conducted by the Beijing Youth Daily this week, more than 80% of respondents support setting off fireworks during the Lunar New Year.

Some found the bans odd, given that the United Nations had just recognized Lunar New Year as an annual public holiday last week. “The Lunar New Year belongs to the world , but it no longer exists in China,” another wrote.

In Hunan province, a major fireworks production center, fireworks export revenue from January to November was 4.11 billion yuan ($579 million), far exceeding domestic sales.

In response to public controversy, the Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress concluded this weekend that the Law on Air Pollution Prevention and Control and the Regulations on the Safety Management of Fireworks and Firecrackers do not require a complete ban on the sale and use of fireworks and firecrackers. Therefore, the blanket bans issued by local governments are "inconsistent with the law."

Hong Hanh (According to Reuters/CCTV )

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