China's work safety watchdog on Thursday urged the country's firework makers to observe safety codes and vowed to enhance crackdown on illegal producers as firework makers resumed production after the seven-day Spring Festival break.
The Work Safety Committee under the State Council, China's cabinet, said local work safety departments should attach great importance to the fireworks safety. Supervision of the fireworks storehouse and the retail outlets should be strengthened.
The remaining fireworks should be carefully destroyed according to the safety code, the committee said.
Fireworks have a longstanding tradition in China's Spring Festival, which fell on Monday this year. It had been banned in large cities like Beijing and Shanghai in the early 1990s. Over the past two years, the ban was lifted in many cities to help people enjoy a better festive atmosphere.
Four-hundred and three people were injured when lighting fireworks in Beijing during the first five days of the Spring Festival break, 2.7 percent less than the same period a year ago, according to data released by the office in charge of the fireworks safety under the Beijing Municipal Government.