The Ministry of Public Security said yesterday that in order to prevent explosions it has ordered local bureaus to step up safety monitoring work and to crack down on firms producing or selling fireworks and without authorization.

The local offices were ordered to cooperate with other authorities, find and punish illegal producers and sellers, and strengthen the safety checks on fireworks being transported by road.

Since November, 24 people have been killed in blasts caused by illegal fireworks, the ministry said.

(China Daily January 7, 2009)