Economic slide takes fizzle from fireworks

SHENYANG / BEIJING - The slowing economy took some of the pop and sizzle out of the Spring Festival's fireworks this year.

"I used to sell tens of thousands of yuan worth in one day," said Li Lan, owner of a fireworks stall in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

"But it is bad now. The fireworks business is not what it once was," complained Li, who has sold fireworks for almost 10 years.