Fireworks sales to stop in smog alerts

Sales of fireworks will be curtailed in Beijing during the coming Spring Festival holiday if air pollution alerts reach orange or red levels - the two highest - as part of the city's effort to minimize air pollution.

Setting off fireworks will again be prohibited during high alerts.

The restrictions drew both objections and applause from the public. Beijing native Gao Fei, 25, approved of them, saying he has not purchased a lot of fireworks since 2013 and prefers to celebrate the festival in a more modern way, chatting with friends online and visiting with parents.