Beijing will provide 370,000 boxes of fireworks and crackers to the market to meet the local people's entertainment demand and build a joyful atmosphere for the Chinese Spring Festival, which will fall on February 18, 2007.

The first batch of fireworks, altogether 30,000 boxes, has arrived in Beijing from their producing areas.

A related official revealed that according to regulations, designated retailers will start to sell fireworks from February 7, 2007.

During the last Spring Festival, Beijing introduced 658 varieties of fireworks and crackers, but many spectacular fireworks priced at over 1,000 yuan apiece were not welcomed by ordinary citizens. Therefore fireworks that people favor most will take up 60 percent of Beijing's market at the forthcoming Spring Festival.

As besides designated retailers, large supermarkets will also be permitted to sell fireworks at the next Spring Festival, the prices are expected to reduce greatly due to the severe competition.?

(China News Service December 27, 2006)