Beijing will increase patrols on street tonight in an effort to continue the ban on setting off firecrackers around Lantern Festival at the end of February.
Since December 1993,when Beijing introduced the ban,fewer people have been injured by firecrackers,which have been a traditional Chinese way of celebrating festivals for centuries,and there have been far fewer fires.
However,some people in urban districts ignored the government ban and set off firecrackers at densely-populated areas during Spring Festival period this year because they insisted firecrackers add to the enjoyment at festival.
Local police seized 285 persons who set off firecrackers outside the designated areas for firecrackers in the first eight days of the first month in Chinese Lunar Calendar.
As a result,260 people injured by crackers and 180fires took place in various parts of the city during festival this year.
Meanwhile,the Chongqing Municipality also reiterated the firm stance against allowing the setting off of firecrackers.
Individuals who set off crackers at forbidden areas will be fined by 2,000 yuan and the fines for work units will be as high as 10,000 yuan.
More than 3,000p olice were sent to 31forbidden areas on Tuesday night and 110,000 publicity materials have been distributed to local residents.
Fireworks used to be an indispensable part of Chinese celebrations and are believed by some people to be able to drive away demons.
( eastday.com February 27, 2002)
