Beijing Seize Illegal Firecrackers Before Spring FestivalBeijing police seized some 10, 000 yuan worth of illegal firecrackers Tuesday night in an effort to keep the city and its residents safe during the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on January 24.According to a local police official, the firecrackers were found in a recreational inn in Tongzhou District, located in the eastern part of Beijing. The inn bought the firecrackers in the city of Xinji in neighboring Hebei Province for customers who stayed at the inn, the official said. Since last December, the inn has sold 30,000 yuan worth of firecrackers to customers. Beijing kicked off its ban on firecrackers on December 1, 1993, hoping to protect the people who like to use them as well as the local environment. However, there has been an increase in the number of people using firecrackers as part of their celebration of the New Year and the Spring Festival. Beijing has uncovered 40 cases involving illegal transportation and sale of firecrackers since last December. Firecrackers valued at 200,000 yuan have been seized so far. |
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