Tag: shop

Hubei Firework Disaster!

China: 12 Die in Firework – Explosion After “Military Grade” Gunpowder Stored in Hubei Domestic-Commercial Setting! (19.2.2026)

Apparently, the owner (who died in the explosion) was illegally using the the building as a shop, a store-room, and for cheap rented accommodation (possibly for the owner and his family). It is illegal in China for a shop and residential areas to be located in the same single building. Although it is not entirely clear, it may be that all three-floors were being used during Chinese New Year to store excessive firework supplies designed to meet the expected (enhanced) two-week demand. It is illegal to store excessive stock – even within a fully registered shopping area. There is also talk of a “back-draft” – or fires rushing up the stairs – and burning the people trying to escape.

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Mooncakes Are in Town! (22.9.2023)

In 2023 this will fall on Friday September 29th! This coincides with what is termed the ‘Chung Yeung’ Festival – where the graves of the ancestors are cleaned and tidied! In Putonghua this is pronounced as ‘Chong Yang’ (重陽) and refers to the ‘Double Nine’ attribute common in the Book of Changes (essentially a ‘double-yang’ line in a hexagram implying incredible good luck – doubled). What all this means – and there are many more stories – is that we eat Mooncakes and pay respect to our deceased ancestors – either at their graves or at a shrine – where incense-sticks are lit. Meanwhile, there is a beautiful woman, a Jade Rabbit and even a Master-Archer – who is able to shoot-down false ‘Moons’! Like most cultural aspects in traditional China – there is a complexity of integration, contradiction, paradox and reconciliation! The main point is to wish everybody Good Luck for the future!

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