A bigger blast for Lunar New Year

CHINESE New Year's Eve promises to be more explosive than ever in Shanghai.

The city's fire department has extended the time people can light fireworks by two hours on designated days, it said, according to Shanghai Morning Post.

Residents can light fireworks and firecrackers starting on Lunar New Year's Eve, or February 6, until February 10 and then once again on February 21 for the Lantern Festival. Authorities said the barrage of fireworks is permitted from 6pm to 8am to ring in the Year of the Mouse.

Officials also reminded residents that fireworks were banned in areas including People's Square, Xujiahui shopping center, the Yuyuan Tourist Mart, Jing'an Temple, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, the Lujiazui Financial and Commercial Center and some public green lands, the report said.

Fireworks are also banned on Nanjing Road W., Nanjing Road E., Huaihai Road M., Sichuan Road N., Xizang Road M. and Xinhua Road.

Most firecrackers were made in the provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi or Guangdong, Gu Jinlong, vice director of Shanghai Fire Control Bureau, said in the report.

Each package of fireworks is required to have an electronic tag to prevent counterfeits and ensure safety, the report said, citing Gu.

A Shanghai Commodity and Fireworks Co official said in the report that a total of 200,000 boxes of fireworks are expected for the Spring Festival, up five percent from a year earlier. Prices will remain the same as last year for the 200 plus types of fireworks.

One of the most popular firecrackers called gaosheng, which means promotion to a high position, will be sold for 1.60 yuan (22 US cents) each, the report said.

The Shanghai Fire Control Bureau ruled that outlets inside the Inner Ring Road can sell fireworks 10 days before Lunar New Year. Those outside the Inner Ring Road can run their businesses year round.