With Spring Festival just around the corner, the State Council has announced a regulation to control the sale and purchase and use of fireworks under very strict conditions to ensure a safe holiday season.

The new regulation imposes severe punishment on those charged with the illegal production, marketing and transportation of fireworks.

According to the regulation, the production and trading of fireworks without valid permission will result in a fine between 20,000 (US$2,466) and 100,000 yuan (US$12,330). Profits from such trading will be confiscated.?

Those found guilty of transporting fireworks without the approval of the public security department will be fined between 10,000 (US$1,233) and 50,000 yuan (US$6,165).

As usual, the regulation also bans the installation or carrying of fireworks on public transportation like trains and buses.

Authorized fireworks manufacturers must meet national and industry standards in the production process. And workers must receive professional training before they are employed.

Beijing authorities recently lifted a 12-year-old ban on firecrackers for the duration of the Spring Festival celebrations.

The sale of firecrackers, Roman candles, sparklers, cherry bombs and other types of fireworks had been outlawed because of the injuries and occasional deaths they caused, as well as the noise and air pollution.

Firecrackers went on sale in shops around Beijing on Sunday.

(China Daily January 26, 2006)