THE AUTHORITIES in Beijing and Tianjin have banned the setting off of fireworks in urban areas during Spring Festival, which next year falls in mid-February. Thepaper.cn commented on Sunday:

This is the first time the two cities have totally banned fireworks in their urban areas. Previously, residents were allowed to set off fireworks on certain days during the festival.

However, their ban comes at the right time. First, few people born after 1990 are fans of fireworks; they prefer their electronic gadgets. Second, their parents and grandparents have become more aware of the air and noise pollution produced by fireworks. Statistics show Beijing's air quality worsens from breathable to a health risk within an hour during the peak periods for fireworks. Third, the large number of cars and skyscrapers in the cities today make them different from even just a decade ago. It is very difficult to find a place to safely set off fireworks in urban areas nowadays.

Last but not the least, convenient public transport offers diehard supporters of the old tradition a convenient means to set off fireworks in suburbs, where they will be less of a nuisance.

A recent survey shows nearly 83 percent of Beijing residents support a total ban on fireworks in urban areas for environmental and safety reasons. A marked change from the 50:50 split in similar surveys in the 1990s.

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(China Daily 12/18/2017 page8)

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