East China province bans, restricts fireworks

JINAN - East China's Shandong province has banned or restricted fireworks and firecrackers in all its 16 cities, as the Lunar New Year is approaching, the provincial public security department said.

As the call for a safe and environment-friendly festival has gotten louder in recent years, city governments in Shandong have introduced related measures.

So far 10 cities, including the provincial capital, have banned fireworks and firecrackers, whereas six others imposed restrictions.

Official data showed that 57 people were injured in 48 accidents caused by fireworks during the Spring Festival last year, down 51.3 percent and 76.1 percent, respectively.

A total of 186 fires were directly caused by fireworks, leading to an economic loss of 576,000 yuan ($83,700), down 45.8 percent and 54.4 percent.