Beijing has doubled its stock of fireworks for this year's Spring Festival, hoping to drive prices down and offer residents more sparkle and sound, officials said yesterday.

Beijing has prepared over half a million boxes of fireworks worth 114 million yuan (US$14.6 million) ahead of the coming Spring Festival that falls on February 18, double that sold last year, sources with the Beijing Municipal Office of Fireworks said.

Beijing residents will be able to purchase their fireworks from 2,500 designated stores, up from last year's 2,100.

Beijing authorities approved a new fireworks wholesale company this year, bringing the total number to two. Supermarkets possessing the appropriate certificates are also allowed to sell fireworks, the first time since Beijing lifted its 12-year ban on firecrackers in 2005.

The sources said the moves would reduce the retail price of fireworks.

Chinese usually ignite firecrackers and burn incense during traditional Chinese festivals, especially the Spring Festival, or Chinese lunar New Year, to get good luck for the coming year.

However, firecrackers were banned in 1993 in Beijing since they were seen to cause environmental and safety problems.

The ban on firecrackers was disputed by local residents, who believe that folk traditions are less meaningful without firecrackers.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2007)