Beijing municipal government has launched a crackdown on illegal on-line fireworks sales to enforce a law passed just last year.

"A few postings about fireworks sales or fireworks vending permits have appeared on some websites," an official with the Beijing Fireworks Office said.

The official said one posting even left a vendor's telephone number for prospective buyers.

Last year, the central government passed a regulation to strengthen the administration of fireworks sales and production, stipulating that all manufacturers and vendors must be licensed or face fines.

The official said sales permits for the upcoming Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 6 next year, were yet to be issued.

The plan for Spring Festival sales, including the number of permits, booths and the sales period, was still under consideration, he said, adding it would be revealed at a news conference on Thursday.

He stressed that the transfer of ownership of permits was illegal.

He said the number of on-line postings was relatively small, but the government was being cautious and would strengthen administration of the regulation.

In September 2005, Beijing lifted a 12-year ban on fireworks, allowing residents to set off fireworks in designated areas during the Lunar New Year and other important festivals.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2007)