There are many reasons to get excited for this summer's opening of Disneyland Shanghai, one being the 'sensational fireworks spectaculars' visitors associate with Disney parks the world over. Best check the AQI reading if you're looking to enjoy the show, however, as officials said yesterday that Disney won't be allowed to stage the show on heavily polluted days.
An official from Shanghai's fire department announced the park won't be allowed to put on fireworks shows when the PM2.5 index is above 201, according to ECNS.
The ruling comes alongside Shanghai's blanket ban on fireworks within the outer ring road, announced on New Year's Eve in a bid to tackle the city's air pollution. Despite being located outside the outer ring road, Disney is being forced to comply due to the city-wide ban on fireworks on heavily polluted days.
Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, Walt Disney Co's Chinese partner, said the park will minimize the effects of pyrotechnics on the local environment by using fireworks that are environmentally friendly.
There will apparently be 20,000 police enforcing Shanghai's fireworks ban over the Spring Festival period. Anyone caught red handed will be fined up to 500RMB (US$77), according to Shanghai Daily. Shanghai's authorities enacted a similar fireworks ban last Chinese New Year, when the city's AQI reportedly dropped to 67 micrograms per cubic meter compared to 290 micrograms in 2014.
Disneyland Shanghai will officially open its doors to the public on June 16.