Liuyang, China: A must-see city for fireworks fans

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It's New Year's Eve. Zhang Qiuming and his colleagues are all suited-up and equipped at the work site. They have been preparing for half a month.

Zhang Qiuming and his colleagues at the work site. /By CGTN

It's a fireworks performance in Liuyang city. Many people would appreciate the beautiful fireworks for the celebration of the Spring Festival tonight.

Zhang Qiuming. /By CGTN

Liuyang is called the "city of fireworks" in China. It's also the largest base for fireworks production and exportation in the world. There are all kinds of fireworks with various forms and colors, which can be used on different occasions. They are favorites for many galas and ceremonies.

Fireworks. /By CGTN

People are setting up the crackers. /By CGTN

Zhang grew up surrounded by the noise of firecrackers. Whenever good things happen or people feel happy, they'd always celebrate with fireworks. "In Liuyang, the Spring Festival is celebrated by setting off three bunches of firecrackers. One for the reunion dinner, one before closing the door at New Year's Eve, and one when you open the door on the first morning of the new year. The more firecrackers, the better."

People even keep the red residues for more than a week, symbolizing lasting prosperity.

A local family is enjoying the crackers. /By CGTN

As a professional fireworks operator, Zhang can do more than "light up the sky."

"For us, the sky is the canvas and the fireworks are the paint," he says, adding, "Fireworks are abstract. It's the combinations of colors."

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"Red stands for passion; gold for dreams; white for snow; green for spring; and blue for the sea and the sky. Red and gold are always the colors for the Chinese Spring Festival." Zhang and his crew would combine different types and sizes of fireworks to achieve certain visual effects.

The designs of the fireworks change every year according to the Chinese Zodiac. 2018 is the Year of the Dog, so the designers chose the shape of a dog. "Bow-wow sounds like 'prosperity' in the Chinese language."

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Zhang is designing the pattern of the fireworks for the 2018 Spring Festival with his colleagues. /By CGTN

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Modern fireworks can be more complicated than we imagine. To guarantee the best show, operators need to program and operate on computers and remote controls. Laser and music are also indispensable for a grand show.

Zhang missed several festivals with his family because of the preparation for the shows. "From January 1 to the Lantern Festival, we make fireworks without a single break." He says, "Not until after the Spring Festival holidays can we join our families."

Family reunion on New Year's Eve. /By CGTN

He has brought, however, loads of happiness to other people. Besides major cities in China, his fireworks have also illuminated the night sky of New York City, dazzling overseas Chinese in lands far away on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

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"Fireworks are not all for the passion. There can also be some deep emotions," says Zhang. "The key is to arouse the sympathy of the audience."

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With another bang, the colorful sparks spiraled into the sky and won a big round of applause. With such happiness and excitement, the Spring Festival has arrived.

The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.