Beijing municipal government has launched a crackdown on illegal
on-line fireworks sales to enforce a law passed just last year.
"A few postings about fireworks sales or fireworks vending
permits have appeared on some websites," an official with the
Beijing Fireworks Office said.
The official said one posting even left a vendor's telephone
number for prospective buyers.
Last year, the central government passed a regulation to
strengthen the administration of fireworks sales and production,
stipulating that all manufacturers and vendors must be licensed or
face fines.
The official said sales permits for the upcoming Spring
Festival, which falls on Feb. 6 next year, were yet to be
issued.
The plan for Spring Festival sales, including the number of
permits, booths and the sales period, was still under
consideration, he said, adding it would be revealed at a news
conference on Thursday.
He stressed that the transfer of ownership of permits was
illegal.
He said the number of on-line postings was relatively small, but
the government was being cautious and would strengthen
administration of the regulation.
In September 2005, Beijing lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks,
allowing residents to set off fireworks in designated areas during
the Lunar New Year and other important festivals.
(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2007)