Shenzhen authorities have seized 27 tons of fireworks in the
last two weeks as part of a crackdown on fireworks which commenced
last October in the city and will end in March, the Shenzhen safety
control committee said recently.
The manufacturing, selling and use of fireworks have been banned
in Shenzhen since 1991, but police say the activities are still
taking place, albeit illegally.
Other measures in the crackdown have included shutting down an
illegal fireworks factory in Buji, Longgang District, and detaining
people involved in selling and transporting fireworks. Traffic
police are also inspecting vehicles and ships entering Shenzhen
before and during the Spring Festival to prevent fireworks being
smuggled into the city.
Harsh fines are also being imposed on violators. Those guilty of
igniting fireworks will be fined between 1,000 and 5,000 yuan
(US$128.21-641.03), according to a regulation on environmental and
noise pollution prevention within the special economic zone. Those
triggering fires by igniting fireworks may even be criminally
prosecuted.
More than 300 cities in China had banned fireworks. But now over
100 of those cities, including Beijing and Tianjin, have eased the
ban, allowing people to set off fireworks in certain places and at
certain times.
Residents can call the following numbers with their reports or
complaints: the municipal public security bureau (8446-5300) for
complaints about sales, transportation, storage and igniting of
fireworks; and the municipal urban administration bureau (12319)
for complaints related to noise pollution.
(Shenzhen Daily February 15, 2007)