Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

 

"The sound is the same as real firecrackers but they [electronic firecrackers] are more environmentally friendly."

So said an online vendor who sells electronic firecrackers. With the imminent arrival of Spring Festival, many citizens in Beijing are buying electronic firecrackers to replace their traditional counterparts out of concern for the environment. In both online and offline stores, the price of electronic firecrackers ranges from 10 yuan to as high as 300 yuan ($45.63). They are about two meters long and come in a variety of shapes such as lanterns and flowers. The electronic firecrackers emit the same sound as real firecrackers after being plugged into an electrical outlet. The Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce warned that many electronic firecrackers in the marketplace have quality problems, and if consumers find any, they should report them to the authorities. (Source: The Beijing Morning Post)