LettersA win-win approach to monthly fireworks in Hong Kong
- Readers discuss the budget’s proposal of a monthly fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, and political party posters along the city’s streets
In February 2013, in response to a question from a lawmaker on the impact of fireworks on air quality, the then secretary for the environment said the authorities would “carefully examine all applications of fireworks display” to ensure that these activities were only restricted to “particularly important” days for Hong Kong, such as the fifth, 10th and 15th anniversaries of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 2009 East Asian Games opening ceremony.
The secretary added: “In addition, for hosting fireworks displays on special days, the Home Affairs Bureau has included in the application guidelines for fireworks display requiring sponsors not to purchase and use fireworks containing these harmful [heavy metals], and use as far as possible environmentally friendly fireworks and launching technology to minimise impact on the environment.”