Smog triggers tighter restrictions on fireworks

World Today

Smog triggers tighter restrictions on fireworks

Fireworks are a big tradition for celebrating the Lunar New Year. But poor air quality has pushed some cities to impose restrictions. Shijiazhuang, the capital of northern Hebei province, is one of those cities.

CGTN’s Ning Hong reports.

Shijiazhuang, the capital of northern Hebei province became an unusually quiet city for this time of year. The conspicuous lack of fireworks was due to new regulations designed to limit air pollution during the National holiday.

Temporary posts for firework vendors are restricted to the edges of cities, where the sale of fireworks is greatly reduced. Besides, anyone who buys fireworks must have his or her ID card scanned. Many have been turned away because of the new rules.

New types of fireworks are also on sale, which the vendor claims are less polluting. However, it still generates quite a lot smoke when tested.

Most people don’t think the absence of fireworks devalues the holiday season. In Shijiazhuang at least, it seems the lack of fireworks won’t prevent people from enjoying the holiday celebrations.