Daily fire crackers

In Australia it is an offense to let off fire crackers unless you are licensed to do so. Predominantly because of the risk of people being injured and causing fires especially in the current drought. We see fire crackers only on special occasions such as New Years, River fire, Ekka etc.

In China it is very different. I recall on my first day I heard this thunderous racket. I though we were being bombed. I was soon to learn that fire crackers are let off all the time. They let off fire crackers as celebratory fire crackers. It could be that a new business has opened, a schools birthday, end of exams, broken a sales record, someone has passed, it could be anything. I think it is great that they celebrate their achievements in this way.

Some may think it is strange to set of fire crackers if someone has passed but the Chinese do it to celebrate that persons life.

What I find interesting is in a country that has a severe problem with pollution they are adding to it by the regular occurrence of fire crackers.

I hope they pass the required level before the Beijing Olympics!