Chinese lawmakers have responded to a heated online debate about whether fireworks should be used to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year in February. Lawmakers acknowledged that a total ban on fireworks, which China is credited with inventing, would be challenging to implement due to air pollution prevention laws and fire safety regulations. In 2017, official data showed that 444 cities had banned fireworks, but since then, some cities have relaxed restrictions, allowing fireworks at specific times and designated venues.
The debate over the ban was reignited this month as several counties issued notices prohibiting fireworks. While some argue for the cultural significance of fireworks, citing folklore that attributes their invention to driving away mythical beasts during the Lunar New Year, others advocate for the ban to protect the environment, citing pollution and safety hazards.
An online poll by the official Beijing Youth Daily revealed that over 80% of respondents expressed support for fireworks during the Spring Festival, a key holiday in the Chinese calendar. Critics of the ban argue that it is ironic, especially considering that the United Nations recently adopted the Spring Festival as an official holiday. Meanwhile, in Hunan province, a major fireworks manufacturing hub, exports reportedly totaled $579 million in the first eleven months of the year, surpassing domestic sales.
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