Guangdong eases fireworks ban for Spring Festival

Shunde district of Foshan city, Guangdong province, will allow its residents to set off fireworks and firecrackers in an orderly manner and within a limited time during festivals and holidays in 2025, according to a notice released by the district's official website on Monday.

The announcement comes after Guangdong's decades-long comparatively strict regulation on fireworks to curb noise, environmental pollution and fire incidents. The upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year starts on Jan 29.

People can set off fireworks during the Spring Festival period (from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of this year to the 15th day of the first lunar month next year), New Year's Day, National Day, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival in 2025, the notice said.

On Chinese New Year's Eve (the last day of the lunar calendar year) and the first day of the lunar new year, residents will be allowed to set off the fireworks for a day to celebrate China's biggest festival. On other days of the Spring Festival period, residents can use fireworks between 8 am and 11 pm.

Fireworks and firecrackers are allowed on other statutory festivals and holidays from 10 am to 10 pm. The notice published by the Shunde district government will be valid for the entirety of 2025.

Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, is one of the earliest cities in China to legislate on the sale and use of fireworks. According to the local regulations introduced by the city's people's congress in 1992(which had already been repealed) and 2021, fireworks are strictly prohibited in eight urban districts of the city.

For decades, the southern province has debated whether fireworks should be banned, restricted, or liberated. So, the notice issued by Shunde district has sparked fresh debate among local residents and netizens.

Peng Peng, executive president of the Guangdong Society of Reform, said relaxing the ban on fireworks and firecrackers can help preserve traditional culture while stimulating consumption.

"Allowing residents to set off fireworks and firecrackers in an orderly way, within designated places and limited time has some effect on increasing the festive atmosphere," he said. "After pilot testing, summary evaluation and improvement, it can be promoted to other cities and regions, which is a routine of Chinese style reform.

"The ban should be considered to be lifted in other cities, except Guangzhou and Shenzhen, in 2026.And after another year, the two Chinese first-tier megacities should also consider allowing fireworks during festivals and holidays."

Xie Xiaoqiong, an office worker in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, said Cantonese usually care about traditional customs and relaxing the ban on setting off fireworks during festivals and holidays is good news for those living in Shunde.

"The pollution caused by setting off firecrackers is limited, and the noise is temporary," she said, adding that setting off fireworks during the Spring Festival is an important folk custom of our Chinese nation, which is believed to be a practice of driving away misfortune and diseases. Setting off firecrackers not only enhances the festive atmosphere but also embodies people's beautiful hopes, enhancing their cultural and national emotions.

She urged relevant departments to introduce more detailed regulations, with standards tailored to local conditions, allowing a large number of residents to celebrate traditional festivals happily.

However, a local resident surnamed Chang said the ban on setting firecrackers should not be lifted as he cannot tolerate the loud noise of fireworks throughout the night.

Some other cities in the country, including Zhengzhou, Puyang and Nanyang in Henan province, Anshan in Liaoning province, have also released similar notices of relaxing the firework control.

In Zhengzhou, a notice released by the local government in November allows retail stores to sell fireworks and firecrackers from Jan 21 to Feb 12, 2025. It also allows residents to set off fireworks within specific times and days during the Spring Festival.