Less bang for buck

The Year of the Dragon is fast approaching, but those who want to mark the event by creating more fire than the fiercest dragon might be somewhat disappointed. Owing to new government regulations released by the Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision on December 31, 2011, this year's Spring Festival will see a lot less fireworks.

The regulations are threefold; they dictate where fireworks can be bought and let off, as well as what type of fireworks can be used. Certain venues have been barred as firework launch pads, such as construction fields and high-rise buildings. Beijing residents are also banned from buying and transporting fireworks from neighboring provinces to Beijing. Over the past few years, residents have often bought cheaper fireworks from Tianjin and Hebei province, even though this has been illegal for a while. A man surnamed Ju told us he always bought fireworks from outside of Beijing because "the fireworks in Langfang city, Hebei province, are exactly the same product, but one fifth cheaper." However, from November 2011, public security bureaus of nearby cities jointly launched a campaign to stop the illegal activity. "Some fake or low quality fireworks may cause security problems," statements from the public securities bureaus said.

Meanwhile, the inner cylinder fireworks, which used to be the most popular fireworks among Beijingers, have been banned, due to the fact that they create a double explosion. This generates more noise and danger apparently. "This is for people's security," said Yu Bo, a director from Panda Fireworks, one of China's biggest firework producers. "Every year several people get hurt by lighting fireworks and firecrackers. Fireworks that explode twice have much more gunpowder and therefore much more power."

No smoke without fire

As a result of these new measures, things are looking less hot in the firework industry. Estimates suggest the number of firework retailers have decreased by 20 percent compared to last year. This is because sales are down. According to an employee surnamed Wei from a firework supplier in Dongcheng district, the number of fireworks that people expect to sell has significantly dropped. "We decreased the amount of fireworks we stock, as both the areas for lighting fireworks and the permitted type of fireworks for sale are restricted this year," Wei said. His statement is supported by other statistics. The Beijing Evening News claimed in a report last month that the major firework producers supplying products to Beijing have prepared 810,000 boxes of fireworks, an annual drop of 140,000.

In light of the ban on inner cylinder fireworks, people can now buy substitutes which do not generate a second explosion. According to Yu from Panda Fireworks there are over 200 kinds of substitutes priced between 100 yuan ($16) and 1,000. However, many people are not all that happy about the new fireworks. Li Bing, a 32-year-old man from Mentougou district, buys more than 4,000 yuan worth of fireworks each year. This year he will probably buy less. "A louder sound is more fun. We are banned throughout the year from lighting fireworks and finally, when we get the chance during the Spring Festival, they now have to be soundless!" Li exclaimed. "Maybe I will try some new kinds of fireworks, but there will be something missing if there is no big noise," he added. He then told us that he has decided to buy more firecrackers than before, to make up for the noise that may be lost.

A spark of hope?

Despite all of this, people can still expect a decent amount of noise on the New Year. Li Cangfeng, a firework dealer in Fangshan district, said due to fewer fireworks on sale, it is likely that fireworks will sell out quickly in the city. "Each firework stand should make 5,000 to 6,000 yuan in revenue each day." In fact "the sales situation is better than last year since people all want to check out what the new fireworks are like," Li stated. And while they might be quieter, they are still pretty festive. One specific type will explode into a dragon shape in the sky.

Another firework dealer, also from Fangshan district, expressed a similar viewpoint. "People like to try new things, so they will buy the new ones to see what they are all about," said Xing Yingling. Indeed, she was not worried at all about sales. Having tested the fireworks herself, she believes people will be satisfied.

At present, people can buy fireworks outside the Fifth Ring Road, from selling spots in Changping, Fangshan and Mentougou district, and retailers inside the Fifth Ring Road will set up shop from around January 20. For those who want to purchase them, the address of retailers can be found on the website of the Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

Fireworks can be lit for 24 hours on January 23, and between 7 am to midnight from January 24 to February 15, according to the new regulations.