Vox Pop: Do we still love the annual pyrotechnic display?

Owing to new government regulations released by the Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision on December 31, 2011, this year's Spring Festival will see a lot less fireworks, including amending regulations on when and where fireworks can be set off; certain larger fireworks have been banned. Do you think these measures are actually effective? Is the regulation a good idea? Do you like fireworks? Do you think they are dangerous? What do you suggest to make the fireworks less dangerous? We sent Cui Tianhong to find out.

Matt Lassen, architect, Germany

I think the regulations are effective, from what I heard there are a lot less fireworks than before. Because the fireworks are once a year, it should be accepted and people should do what they want. I suggest making the days [you can set off] shorter, for three days instead of two weeks.

Sylke Klapp, network training, Germany

We also have such regulations in Germany. There are two ways of making fireworks less dangerous. One way is to give regulations on the size as well as the amount of power in them. The other way is to make people more sensitive to use them and make people aware of the dangers. But it would be a pity to lower down all the things of fireworks for they are traditional things of China.

Chanbrk Ria, student, France

There are a lot less fireworks here. I think the regulation is a good idea because it releases the dangers. I don't really like fireworks, though they are beautiful, but I think they are boring after seeing too many.

Tracy Gilmour, office worker, UK

I really saw a lot less fireworks in Beijing than last year. To some extent, the regulations are effective. I think the regulation is a good idea to make fireworks safer. The government should educate people on how to use them safely. If people know how to use them, that's OK, they are not so dangerous.

Malvin Louise, student, US

I like fireworks but they sometimes kill people, and I suggest the government should make the days we can let them off shorter; one week is enough. I think fireworks are very dangerous as there is gunpowder in them. People should be careful especially for kids. Making fireworks smaller is much safer.

Sabina Kumar, company manager, Switzerland

I haven't seen many fireworks, so the measures are effective. I don't think the regulation is a good idea because I miss the fireworks. Fireworks are very dangerous. There are many accidents because of people's crazy behavior. Making some guidelines about how to set them off may make the fireworks less dangerous.

Claudia Masinger, wine company employee, Switzerland

I think there are still a lot of fireworks here so I think the measures are actually not really effective. And I think it's a waste of money and it pollutes the air. The regulation is a good idea. Being more careful and the government showing more instructions of how to use them are better to make setting them off less dangerous.