Beijing to Limit Spring Festival Fireworks Sale and Use

Beijing will actively limit the use of fireworks during the 2016 Spring Festival period for the first time since their sale and use was permitted again within the Fifth Ring Road in 2005.

Fireworks will only go on sale within the Fifth Ring Road on February 3, and remain on sale until February 12. Twenty percent fewer outlets will sell fireworks this year, and at present only 30 vendors are permitted to sell on a permanent basis.

The primary concern regarding fireworks sales is its contribution to poor air quality. If orange or red air quality alerts are issued between February 3 and 13, then the sale and use of all fireworks will be banned.

Fireworks were banned in Beijing from 1992 to 2005, but approved for sale and use again due to popular demand. Despite that popular support, concerns over their temporary contribution to poor air quality has become an increasing concern among both officials and citizens.

Photo: San Francisco Ballet