The Standing Committee of Wuhan Municipal People's Congress is reviewing the "Banned Fireworks Rule of Wuhan" with the intention of perhaps lifting some of the ban.

Instead of totally banning fireworks, a new draft of the rule says the Wuhan Municipal Government should be responsible for telling the public when and where to set off the fireworks during important holidays or festivals.

The revision comes after citizens sought an appeal to the current rule. An earlier survey quoted by Xinhua shows that more than 50% of Wuhan citizens hope to limit fireworks, rather than totally banning them.

A Chinese monk named Li Tian, who lived near the city of Liu Yang in Hunan Province, is credited with the invention of firecrackers about 1000 years ago. Firecrackers are thought to have the power to fend off evil spirits and ghosts that are frightened by the loud bangs of the firecrackers. Firecrackers are used for such purposes today at most events such as births, deaths and birthdays. Chinese New Year is a particularly popular event that is celebrated with firecrackers to usher in the new year free of the evil spirits.