Beijing urges residents to avoid fireworks on Lunar New Year over smog concerns

Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The government in Beijing has urged residents to refrain from using fireworks for the Chinese New Year, formally known as the Lunar New Year, over smog concerns.

Fireworks are considered essential to Lunar New Year festivities. Beijing's decision comes after Henan province banned citizens from using fireworks. The Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, which begins Saturday.

The color red is central to the festivities. It symbolizes fire, which can drive away bad luck. Fireworks are used in the hope of scaring away the monster "Nian," a half-dragon, half-lion beast said to come out of hiding and attack people, especially children, during the festival.

A long time ago, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on the Lunar New Year. According to the legend, he designated a year to each of the 12 that arrived and said that people born on those years would share some of that animal's personalty.

Though an annual tradition, Beijing's government urged the entire capital city to observe a "green and environmentally-protective new year".

"Let us enthusiastically take action by not setting off, or setting off fewer, fireworks and firecrackers, and allow Beijing to have a bluer sky, fresher air and a more beautiful and safer environment this Spring Festival," a Beijing government statement said.

The Beijing government approved 511 fireworks stalls this year, compared to 719 last year, and fireworks sales have been poor.

"I don't want any myself, but my son insists. He likes the sparklers," a woman told the China Daily. "It's not convenient for us to set off big fireworks as we're not allowed to do so until Lunar New Year's Eve, and there are many restrictions on where you can use them. Also, the smoke they produce pollutes the air."

The Chinese New Year will be the year 4714: The Year of the Rooster.