To bang or not to bang: Fireworks are a hot issue

Beijing implemented a bill totally banning fireworks in urban areas in 1993 because of environmental and safety concerns. Due to public pressure, the bill was amended in 2006 to allow people to set fireworks at designated places and within a limited time period during the Lunar New Year holidays.

The municipal government allows pyrotechnics of this kind on Chinese New Year's Eve and the New Year's Day, for the entire city. In the following days before the 15th day of Spring Festival, revelers within the Fifth Ring Road are allowed to set off firecrackers from 7 am to midnight.

The fireworks ban resumes after the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (Feb 9 this year), also called Lantern Festival.