End of ban lights fuse of festive fun

Opinion / Liu Shinan

 End of ban lights fuse of festive fun
By Liu Shinan (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-25 06:04

Beijing's ban on fireworks has finally been lifted.

When the capital, and most other major cities in China, instituted the
interdiction in 1994 to prevent noise and injuries caused by the
letting-off of fireworks and firecrackers, I thought it was peremptory
robbery of common urban residents', especially children's, pleasure in
celebrating the New Year. The unspoken resentment lingered for many years.

However, when the authorities decided to abrogate the ruling, I began to
develop a contradictory attitude, worrying about possible injuries and
deafening noises. Three reasons: First, fireworks are no longer what they
were 12 years ago. They have become more violent. Though fireworks were
banned in cities, wealthy people kept firing them in suburbs and
fireworks plants have been producing more powerful varieties to meet
these people's appetite for a more boisterous and dazzling display of
wealth.

Second, the lift of the ban in comparatively more affluent cities across
the country has suddenly brought about a market promising opulent
profits. Fireworks plants, including illegally set-up small ones, have
been racing against time to churn out millions of tons of fireworks since
last year when they got wind of the annulment of the moratorium. God
knows what kind of quality the products will be!

Third, after 12 years of suppression, common people's zeal for letting
off fireworks and firecrackers will most probably be vented in an
extremely vehement outbreak.

I really worry that the situation will get out of control.

The government has realized the possible dangers. Precautionary measures
have been taken. Fireworks are available only in specially authorized
shops. Vulnerable places such as gas stations, kindergartens, hospitals
and transport hubs have been set off limits. A long list of don'ts has
been announced on ways of letting off fireworks and penalties have been
set down in detail. Hospitals and fire brigades have been ordered to
stand by for emergencies.

I wonder how many public security and market supervision officers will be
needed to execute the precautions and penalties amid the public's
first-ever release, after 12 years, of their passion for a clamorous,
incandescent celebration of the Spring Festival.

The dilemma is: It is very likely that many members of the public,
especially teenagers that are very excited to have fun with what they
have never experienced before, ignore the rules and go wild, which will
make it very difficult to monitor and execute the precautions; however,
once the rules are set, they have to be executed seriously, otherwise
laws and rules lose their authenticity. Is the government determined
enough to execute the rules to the letter?

The government has to if it hopes to maintain the seriousness of laws and
rules.

To strictly execute the above-mentioned rules, however, needs numerous
law enforcers. Will the government have the heart to ask so many officers
to sacrifice their joy to engage in intense work during the Chinese
nation's most treasured holidays?

The dilemma is really a tough challenge. The government has to face the
test.

This is the result of the stupid policy it adopted 12 years ago. If more
meticulously drafted measures were adopted to advise the public on the
proper ways of playing with fireworks at that time rather than issuing
the icy-worded ban, there wouldn't be such a dilemma. And the festive
atmosphere wouldn't be marred by so many security measures.

This is a lesson to be learned. All decisions have to be made with
extreme caution if it involves the broad masses. Careful, patient work is
needed. A simple ban is easily made but it is also a demonstration of
inability.

Email: liushinan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/25/2006 page4)

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