Fireworks cause problems during Chinese New Year

A debate over whether or not Beijing should allow the use of fireworks during the Chinese Lunar New Year due to health and safety and air quality concerns has been reignited as a landmark building caught fire this week.

The China Central Television (CCTV) Tower was hit by a heavy-duty firework and went up in flames following New Year celebrations this week. It was still under construction and was set to house the organisation’s headquarters, a hotel and a cultural centre.

It is thought that CCTV was conducting an illegal fireworks display outside the cosmopolitan new building.

Spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Jiang Yu stated: "According to the initial investigation, the fire was caused when officials didn’t listen to police warnings, they persistently and illegally set off fireworks."

Last month, it was reported that government temporarily relaxed the stringent restrictions on setting off fireworks in the air quality-conscious capital around the New Year period.