How Spring Festival is being redefined
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Fireworks explode in the air in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Jan 28, 2017. [Photo/IC] |
Fireworks ban to fight new 'evil'
Fireworks are set off as a way to drive away evil spirits. In light of the air problems in many Chinese cities, worsened pollution by fireworks seems a worse evil than what they are intended to prevent. As a result, a ban or restrictions has been adopted in many cities across the country.
In Shanghai where the fireworks ban has been in place since last year, the city's holiday AQI has been in the good to excellent categories, and the concentration of dangerous PM 2.5 particles on Lunar New Year's Eve was lower.
Some may miss the festival mood created by fireworks, but many accept the change, believing better not to let out this new kind of evil in the new year.
Related story:
Shanghai fireworks ban clears air, but some miss festive mood
