Amending firecracker ban adds to festivity

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times

 With the approach of the Chinese New Year, which this year falls in February, whether or not firecracker bans should be lifted has stirred heated discussion once again.

As Wang Anshi, a widely known Chinese poet of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), depicted in his poem, "Out goes the old year with the sound of firecrackers; in comes the new with the warmth of wine and spring breeze," setting off fireworks or firecrackers is a quintessential part of the Chinese New Year. The traditional belief is that the noise drives away bad spirits and brings good luck.

The tradition of setting off firecrackers in China can be traced back to before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), when ancient Chinese used the pops and cracks of wood or bamboo burning to worship gods or expel evil spirits. Using firecrackers to celebrate the Chinese New Year became popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

"For Chinese people, Spring Festival is a particularly important holiday. Celebrating the Chinese New Year with the sound of firecrackers is a 1,000-year-old Chinese romance," Chen Huawen, a professor and folklore expert at Zhejiang Normal University, told media. 

Firecrackers are a type of spiritual sustenance for driving away evil spirits or bad luck, as well as a symbol of welcoming a new year with a fresh start. It is a mixture of Chinese culture, tradition and romance filled with people's hopes and wishes that has been passed down through a millennium, Chen noted.

However, due to environmental and safety concerns, many Chinese cities have imposed bans or restrictions on fireworks during the past recent years, which led to many lamenting the fading spirit of the Chinese New Year and a diluted festive atmosphere.

Setting off firecrackers is a cultural sentiment that is rooted in Chinese history. Some had to come up with creative alternatives to mimic firecrackers. Some chose to buy battery powered "fake" firecrackers. 

Recently, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China's top legislature, has stated that certain provisions in regional regulations, including the complete ban on fireworks and firecrackers, have no legal basis. Local authorities are required to rectify these regulations accordingly.

Some citizens and businesses have submitted review suggestions regarding the complete ban provision. After review, the commission said neither the laws such as Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law and the regulations on the safety management of fireworks and firecrackers, nor the administrative regulations on the sale and use of qualified fireworks and firecrackers have stipulations on a thorough ban on fireworks or firecrackers. After communication, the relevant authorities have agreed to promptly make amendments to the relevant provisions, which led to enthusiastic online discussion. The topic "It's about time to end the era of firecracker bans" had reached 490 million views on Sina Weibo as of Tuesday. 

"The move has sent multiple layers of signals. First, it is the government's prompt response to the people's nostalgia for the lively atmosphere associated with firecrackers," Wang Chengdong, a law professor at China University of Political Science and Law, told media while commenting on what it means for China's top legislature to make the adjustment. 

It will also benefit the preservation of cultural traditions and folk customs using legislation. 

At the beginning of 2023, many local governments adjusted the complete ban on firecrackers, shifting from "prohibition" to "restrictions," allowing the public to set off fireworks in specific periods and areas. These practices and experiences in exploring and implementing these policies can serve as valuable references for others. 

China's vast territory and the differing circumstances of provinces, cities, and counties make it impossible to apply a one-size-fits-all approach concerning cultural regulations. The current regulations on the safety management of fireworks and firecrackers grant local governments considerable discretion, aiming to encourage local authorities to make scientific arrangements and deployments flexibly. 

Deciding whether to ban or lift restrictions on firecrackers involves many factors, but it is essential not to deviate from the principles of adapting measures to local conditions and implementing policies accordingly. 

Different demands and voices from the people should be heard and valued, reflecting divergences in understanding and challenges in implementation. Attention to public needs is crucial to overcome obstacles in policy implementation. 

Loosening firecracker bans rekindles the public's strong anticipation for the festive Chinese New Year, and also increases public confidence in the country's responsible and responsive governance.  

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]