
HOW MANY OF THE FIREWORKS IN BONFIRE ARE MADE IN CHINA?
When Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament, he would never have expected that he made many fireworks orders for China in 400 years later — Chinese Fireworks industry.
How many of the fireworks are made in China? The answer is 90% fireworks in the world are made in this ancient country. Since the invention of gunpowder in China, this world factory is still a major producer.
Accidental innovation
More than a thousand years ago, a Chinese witch (or ancient chemist) had the accident of mixing saltpeter (potassium nitrate) with sulfur and charcoal. Then he got some colorful flame and created gunpowder inadvertently. After that, a Chinese monk called Li Tan, stuffed bamboo with gunpowder and launched it into a fire. Baboom! An impressive bang and explosion, along with a bright spray of sparkling white lights into the sky.
At first, the Ancient Chinese people used these exploding firecrackers as part of New Year’s festivities to keep sinister spirits away. Over the next several centuries, people in China used fireworks into other events, like weddings and military celebrations.
Ironic Global trade

In fact, many countries in the world can make fireworks, but Made in China is the most affordable because of the law and labor price. Despite Trump’s trade sanctions against China, the fireworks he celebrates after becoming president are made in China, and Bonfire night in the UK is not an exception.
Zeyu Du, a Chinese student in Preston said: “I even don’t know British people will celebrate with firework until I found they are selling in supermarket. I brought some and fired with my friends in Halloween last week.”
As a business student, she noticed that all the fireworks were made in China. “I am not very surprise with that, because China is famous as a world factory.” The cheap labor in China is the main reason, she explained.
“Anyway, I really enjoy that I can play Chinese fireworks in abroad. I made a video of the process and sent it to my relatives and friends in hometown, that’s really memorable!” said by Du. “I’m also looking forward to tomorrow’s Bonfire night.”

Current market

Americans will spend around $900 million on fireworks each year. The fireworks celebrating Independence Day on July 4th can only rely on China’s supply. According to the Forbes magazine, the United States imported 268 million US dollars’ fireworks from China in 2017. Executive Board of the American fireworks and firecrackers Association said:
“99% of the fireworks for consumers to set off in their backyard are from China.”
90% of the world’s fireworks are Made in China, with one city accounting for 50 percent of that. (An English video from chineses website)
The hometown of fireworks
A $4 billion fireworks industry is centered in the southern Chinese province of Hunan around Liuyang, a mountainous rural county not far from the provincial capital of Changsha. Historically, first fireworks were invented here, many of the factories in Liuyang claim to use formulas handed down through generations. Not surprisingly, the art of making or displaying fireworks, grew into a profession in China.
In 1986, the Chinese team represented by Liuyang won the first prize in the 21st World Fireworks Competition in Monaco.
In 1995, Liuyang was awarded the reputation of “the hometown of fireworks in China” by the Chinese government. The Chinese government implemented the product protection of origin and geographical indication for Liuyang fireworks.
In 2002, the International Fireworks Association (IFA) was established with its permanent headquarters in Liuyang.
In 2008, “Liuyang fireworks” certification trademark was recognized as “world famous brand” by Madrid International Trademark organization, protected in 79 countries and regions around the world, and won the title of the most competitive geographical indication trademark in 2009.
In 2011, Liuyang fireworks ranked seventh rich in China with a value of 102.817 billion yuan.
Under bright shadow
China’s fireworks factories produce about 90% of the world’s fireworks. At the same time form a dangerous industry, mainly composed of rural labor: men usually work in management offices, while women mostly work directly in factories after high school. Many people deal with dangerous chemicals without prior training. Although the Chinese government have made increasing efforts to make the industry safer in recent years, somethings still will go wrong, often with fatal or life changing consequences.
“In the past, the conditions and technology were limited. Injuries and deaths do happen from time to time. After all, gunpowder is dangerous goods and accidents are inevitable. I have now settled in the city with my husband and son, but my parents and relatives in my hometown, such as my uncle, are still making fireworks,” said by Juxiang Li, who is from Hunan and run a restaurant in Shenzhen.
Li said that when she was a child, she saw the explosion of fireworks factory in her hometown, which was very frightening. That was one of the reasons why she left her hometown to work in the city.
“I have a primary school classmate’s father who lost a hand in such an accident,” she said.
She have repeatedly advised her family members in hometown to give up this dangerous job, but they are always willing to continue to do it.
“They may be to keep the traditional crafts, but more people have no choice but to make a living,” she sighed.
With the development of the times, bad things gradually reduce, and now the fireworks sold on the market have been strictly tested. Under the safe condition, you can rest assured to have fun, but please do not forget the long history and sad stories behind the beautiful fireworks.
By Hongda Zhong, online editor of FuseMedia for JN3506

