Fireworks debate in China: preserve tradition or reduce air pollution?

China is a country divided over whether to continue the tradition of setting off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate the Chinese New Year. While many Chinese citizens feel the tradition should be preserved, others would be in support of a ban if such a move were to improve air quality. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, heavy pollution was reported in 92 Chinese cities and 47, including Beijing, reported severe pollution as people celebrated the start of the Spring Festival this year. Figures released by the Ministry of Public Security support the likely trend that tackling air pollution is winning out over preserving tradition: in 2015, a total of 138 cities banned fireworks and a further 536 put limits to time and places where fireworks could be used. This year, Shanghai implemented a strict fireworks ban on 1st January. 

Discussion of tradition continues as fireworks banned in more Chinese cities

Zhang Lin from northeast China's Jilin province heard less firecrackers during Spring Festival of the past two years.

"The holiday is becoming less festive, but I can accept it if the air quality improves," he told Xinhua.

In the past, Changchun, capital of Jilin, was frequently shrouded by smog. The city announced a regulation in August 2014 to ban fireworks within the fourth ring road, or the city center.

In 2015, density of PM 2.5 there during the Spring Festival dropped by 20.69 percent compared with the year before.

Changchun is not alone.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Public Security last year, a total of 138 cities banned fireworks, while another 536 put limits to time and place fireworks can be used.

The numbers are growing in 2016, as Shanghai implemented a strict fireworks ban on Jan. 1.

A survey by the Shanghai municipal bureau showed that 89.4 percent of the citizens polled supported the ban, but many feel the tradition should be preserved.

"It is such a pity! Our tradition that had survived thousands of years was suddenly abolished," said a web user nicknamed LaonaV on microblog Sina Weibo.

Zhang Lin in Changchun believes governments need to find a way to reduce pollution of fireworks while preserving the tradition.

"I suggest that our governments put on public firework shows, as some foreign countries do," he said.

Wu Zhengli, secretary-general of the China Fireworks and Firecrackers Association, said that efforts should be made to improve the fireworks to make them less polluting. "At the same time, we should crack down on illegal fireworks producers," he said.

In Changchun, to create a festive atmosphere, the city government decorated main roads with red lanterns, set up special markets to sell New Year goods and distributed red scrolls with rhyming phrases, which Chinese people traditionally pasted on their doors for good luck.

Yang Tao, a citizen in Shenyang, capital of the neighboring Liaoning province, told Xinhua that traditions change all the time.

"People are busy sending and receiving electronic 'lucky money' nowadays," he said.

Giving "lucky money" in electronic form is a trendy spin on the Chinese tradition of giving red envelopes of money to children on New Year's Eve. Over 100 million people sent gifts of money via mobile apps last year, according to Alipay, the payment system run by Alibaba.

"In comparison, fireworks are in fact losing shine," he said.