Beijing may ban fireworks to cut pollution

Setting off fireworks may be banned in case of serious air pollution in Beijing during the coming Spring Festival holiday, China National Radio reported on Monday.

The Beijing municipal government is considering including a fireworks ban into its emergency plan to tackle serious air pollution, Kang Jiyong, the secretary-general of the Beijing Fireworks Association, was quoted by China National Radio as saying.

Compulsory measures will be taken if the pollution in Beijing reaches extremely high levels, including suspending work at construction sites and cutting the use of government vehicles by 30 percent, according to a contingency plan issued in December last year.

Sales of fireworks within Beijing's fifth ring road will start on Tuesday. The prolonged serious smog in Beijing in January prompted many residents to suggest limiting fireworks during the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb 10 this year.