Beware of playing video games on the streets of Beijing.
The Beijing government has outlawed "electronic mimic fireworks" after discovering entrepreneurs had evaded a recent ban on firecrackers by selling tape recordings of the real thing, official media reported Friday."Some enterprises and individuals have researched and developed electronic sound-light fireworks to replace traditional fireworks," the state-run China News said.
On Dec. 1, the municipality banned fireworks on grounds they were fire hazards, noise pollutants and a public nuisance. It has threatened violators with 15-day prison sentences.
But the ban on firecrackers, which were invented by the Chinese centuries ago and traditionally ignited to celebrate weddings, business openings and the Chinese lunar new year, has met with resistance.
The article did not further define "electronic sound-light fireworks," nor did it indicate whether video games and Handel's 1812 Overture will be illegal as well.