Fireworks fixation flickers long past New Year's holiday
The weekslong holiday encompassing Chinese New Year has now concluded. Most of those who spent hours journeying across China for the Spring Festival are back to work in Beijing.
About one year after a China Central Television tower was engulfed in flames after a fireworks display went badly awry during the lunar new year festivities, Chinese people's enthusiasm with fireworks showed no sign of abatement.
Fireworks are a key feature of many countries' New Year celebrations. Iconic images from around the world, such as the grand pyrotechnics display atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, spring to mind. Indeed, most major cities in the world have their own unique display to herald the New Year. Chinese New Year, however, is something different. Day and night for a week (and a few extra days tacked on the end to infuriate those back to work), the lower atmosphere and eardrums are pounded as rocket after rocket are fired off. It's the aural equivalent of being under enemy fire.
