Fireworks Banned from the CBD

The CBD may have a quiet Spring Festival now that fireworks have been banned from the area. After six years without any restrictions, during which there was a steady rise in fire and injury (like this memorable one), the ban is back.

According to Xinhua (Chinese) and the Global Times, there will be a total ban on fireworks (setting off and selling) in the CBD core area, including CCTV construction area and areas around the site. Areas which are forbidden to set off fireworks include the CBD core area (the area among Zhenzhilu, Jianguolu, East third ring roads, Guanghualu), construction sites (CCTV, Ethernet Plaza, Fortune Plaza Phase III, Guanghua SOHO Phase II), and "key fire units" (Dongdaqiao Gas station, Eaton kindergarten, Dawanglu Primary School, and Ritan High school).

Local residents will be allowed to set off fireworks in designated areas and on several, yet unnamed, wide roads in the district. These roads, as well as others throughout the city, will be closed for 15 minutes just before and after midnight for people celebrating the new year.

Expect, 200 armed police to patrol the forbidden areas from eve of the spring festival (Feb 2nd) to Feb 3rd.

Throughout the city there will also be a large presence of firefighters as the fire risk is at its highest level due to the past several rainless months.

Enjoy those fireworks (outside CBD). Chun Jie Kuai Le!