BEIJING – The annual Lunar New Year fireworks barrage in Beijing was notably muted Sunday following government appeals to reduce the smoky celebrations after air pollution rose to near catastrophic levels in recent weeks.
Setting off fireworks to celebrate renewal and ward off evil spirits is a traditional part of the celebration that marks China’s most important family holiday.
Sales of fireworks from Tuesday through Saturday fell 37 percent over the same period last year, from 410,000 cartons to just 260,000. Beijing on Saturday night also saw just 25 injuries and 83 fire emergencies related to fireworks, down almost 29 percent and 45 percent from last year.
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