Beijing's municipal government published a draft regulation
online on Monday to seek public opinion until the end of this month
on fireworks safety and management. The proposed rules would loosen
the ban currently covering most of the capital.
During the 15 days between the
Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) and the
Lantern Festival, the draft proposes that fireworks be allowed
between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM outside the urban areas?of
Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai
and Shijingshan districts. However, fireworks within 100 meters of
cultural and historic sites, hospitals, gas stations, etc. would
still be proscribed.
On special occasions, important ceremonies or holidays, it would
allow the use of fireworks in assigned areas and at times approved
by the municipal government.
Once adopted, it would abolish the tough regulations brought
into effect in 1993, which banned fireworks in the eight urban
districts apart from approved remote areas of Chaoyang, Haidian,
Fengtai and Shijingshan.
The municipal government will publish recognized brands of
fireworks to encourage safety.
Illegal sellers of fireworks would be fined between 3?and
10 times the goods' total value with all stock confiscated.
(Beijing Youth Daily translated by Li Shen for
China.org.cn, May 18, 2005)