Sources from the Shanghai Fire Department say that Shanghai citizens will be allowed to let off firecrackers at fixed time and places during the coming Spring Festival Days in Shanghai. But management of firecracker production and marketing will still have to be closely watched against any possible accidents.

During the Spring Festival Days it is demanded that firecrackers may not be let off in no-let-off areas at busy commercial centers as Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road, government departments, culture relic units, and other important public places. In areas at the city center of Shanghai, firecrackers may be let off only during hours 8:00pm to 0:30am next morning, January 23-28,2001.

It is reported that two persons had died for letting off fake firecrackers in Shanghai last festival. Taking warning from this, the Shanghai Fire Department emphatically told Shanghai residents setting off fake dangerous firecrackers will not be allowed and dealers will be severely punished.

(People’s Daily 12/13/2000)