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)