China restricts fireworks displays during Lunar New Year celebrations due to concerns about pollution.

Due to the thick smog in China, this year, the Beijing authorities have decided to ask residents to limit the use of firecrackers and fireworks to prevent further smog during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Instead, the bell tower in central Beijing rang 108 times at midnight, marking the transition to the Lunar New Year of the Rooster, instead of the usual firecrackers.

In addition, the Beijing city government has also restricted the locations where fireworks are sold.

Chinese people light firecrackers to celebrate the New Year in Beijing on January 27. (Source: EPA/VNA)

This year, only 511 outlets were licensed compared to 719 last year, and none were located in the central area of ​​the capital.

The request to restrict people from setting off firecrackers during the Lunar New Year comes amid worsening air pollution in China.

In early 2017, the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau issued an orange alert for severe air pollution due to the continued dense smog covering the capital. This was the second highest level on China's four-level air pollution warning system.

According to Vietnamplus