fireworks

Fireworks originated in China (206 BC–AD 220) and produced the loud sound (known as Chinese: "Bian pao") that was intended to frighten evil spirits. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (AD 420–581) the firecrackers were used not only to dispel evil but also to pray for happiness and prosperity. The Chinese government is planning to strengthen safety supervision over its scattered fireworks manufacturers to reduce the rising cases of accidental fireworks explosions. The government will encourage small-sized fireworks manufacturers to consolidate into larger ones, and will develop the provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region into three major manufacturing bases of China's fireworks industry. At the start of the year there were a total of 7,064 fireworks companies in 26 Chinese provinces, 74 percent of which are located in Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangxi. The sales of fireworks in these places accounted for 83 percent of the national total.