Cities in China have tightened regulations on the use of pyrotechnics as the Spring Festival approaches, as a way of controlling air pollution and maintaining safety.
Shijiazhuang, the capital of North China's Hebei Province, has banned the use of fireworks during the festival within the second ring of the city center, and those beyond are allowed to use them on Spring Festival Eve and the first, 5th and 15th day of the Chinese year, the Hebei Daily reported on Monday.
It said that when the third-level air pollution warning level is raised, the use of fireworks would be banned. Citizens have to register using their identification cards when buying fireworks, the Hebei government said.
Restrictions on the use of fireworks have likewise been imposed in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, where residents are only allowed to set off firecrackers in certain places and hours. It also said the use of fireworks will be banned when air pollution levels are severe.
Residue from fireworks can increase PM 10 levels by up to 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter and PM 2.5 levels to 500 micrograms per cubic meter, the Workers' Daily reported.
But in an unusual move, the Henan government withdrew on Monday a notice that had been put up three days earlier, which banned fireworks in the province during the festival.
The decision was made after 250 businesses jointly signed a petition urging the government to rescind the ban due to potential security and financial problems, the Beijing News reported on Monday.
The ban frightened fireworks manufacturers and related businesses. "I will break the bank if fireworks are not allowed," said Liang Guobin, one of petitioners said. The fireworks business is worth 750 million yuan, the petition said.
