Liuyang on quest to make fireworks greener, safer

Editor's Note: China Daily is running a series of stories on old revolutionary bases with profound history and heritage that are striving to lead local people on the road to prosperity in the new era.

Intelligent monitoring systems reduce accidents in world's firework factory

Fireworks lit up the night sky, spelling the message: "One World, One Family". The spectacular display during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games left many stunned.

Used for hundreds of years, fireworks are becoming increasingly eye-catching, able to create a wide variety of shapes and effects and adding more fun to festivities.

Firework production, which used to be one of the most dangerous industries in China, has become safer and more environmentally friendly, thanks to the use of intelligent facilities.

Chinese fireworks are sold worldwide, but most are produced in the border area between Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, a former revolutionary base. The sector has experienced consistent growth and fewer accidents in recent years.

Liuyang in Hunan, for example, produced fireworks worth almost 26.2 billion yuan ($4.02 billion) last year, up 28.9 percent year-on-year, according to Chen Xiangtao, deputy head of the city's firework development center.

According to Chen, the fireworks industry is not only dangerous, it is also labor intensive. With safety a key concern, the government has been working to promote the use of automated lines and intelligent machines.