By Cai Siyun, Vision Times
Droves of crowds gathered in China’s city of Lufeng, Guangdong Province in early March after local authorities attempted to enforce a ban on firecrackers during one of the region’s most important traditional celebrations, triggering a confrontation between residents and police.
Videos circulating online show thousands of people filling the streets as locals defied the restrictions and continued lighting firecrackers during the city’s annual New Year “Youshen” (游神) procession, a centuries-old folk tradition in eastern Guangdong.
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Protests erupt
On March 7, large numbers of residents gathered around Hongxing Market on Renmin Road in Lufeng’s city center, where people set off firecrackers in protest of the government’s ban. Witnesses reported that pushing and shoving occurred between residents and police officers sent to maintain order.
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The Youshen festival is considered one of the most important annual cultural events in Lufeng. During the celebration, statues of local deities are carried through the streets while residents light massive quantities of firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the procession. The explosive sounds and thick smoke created by the fireworks are traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year.
However, this year local authorities issued a firecracker ban, prohibiting the practice during the festival. The decision sparked widespread anger among residents who viewed the restriction as an attack on long-standing local customs. Some social media users estimated that more than 10,000 people participated in the protest.
Clashing with police
According to videos posted online by social media users, the tensions began on the evening of March 5 when groups of young people openly lit fireworks in defiance of the ban. Police reportedly detained several individuals.
Early the following morning, a group of urban management officers surrounded a young man who was setting off firecrackers. Soon afterward, hundreds of residents gathered around the officers in protest.
On the night of March 6, the eve of the festival’s highlight, the City God procession, authorities reportedly deployed hundreds of police officers to the city center in an attempt to prevent fireworks displays. Despite the heavy police presence, many young people rode electric scooters into the downtown area carrying fireworks.
In the early hours of March 7, fireworks began exploding across multiple streets as young residents rode through the city lighting firecrackers. Police then attempted to detain several participants, sparking further confrontation. Residents responded by blocking roads, setting up makeshift barriers, and surrounding police vehicles in an effort to prevent officers from taking people away.
Fireworks continued to explode across the city until around 8 a.m., when the City God statue was carried out of the temple and the traditional procession began.
Defending tradition
Online reactions praised the residents’ determination to defend the festival. Some comments included:
- “People in Guangdong are really united!”
- “This shows that traditional Chinese culture is still being preserved by the younger generation.”
- “Support the people of Lufeng resisting unpopular government orders!”
- “Well done! Salute to the heroes of Lufeng!”
Videos shared online showed massive crowds filling the streets. Firecracker debris covered the ground, while smoke hung thick in the air. Police vehicles entered the area as large groups of residents gathered to watch. Other footage showed police restraining a man near a patrol car while bystanders recorded the scene on their phones.
Local resident Mr. Chen told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that many residents had already purchased firecrackers before the ban was announced. “Later many people ignored the police and brought out the firecrackers they had already bought,” he said. “This is a local custom. Once the deity statue comes out, people begin setting off firecrackers.”
Chen said police detained several individuals but later released them. “I heard the police arrested a few people, but they were released today,” he said.
Another local merchant, Mr. Ye, said tensions had been building for days. “Young people had already been setting off firecrackers earlier. When police saw them, they detained them. I heard more than a dozen people were taken away, which angered many residents and triggered the large gathering,” he said.
Authorities remain mum
Folk traditions like the Youshen procession are deeply rooted in eastern Guangdong, particularly in Chaoshan, Shanwei, Lufeng, Jieyang, and Chaozhou. The events are typically organized by local temples, clans, or village associations and attract widespread participation from the community.
Folklore scholar Liao Yueming explained that such festivals serve both religious and social functions. “For local communities, the Youshen procession is not only a folk religious ritual but also a community event,” he said. “Many people see it as the most important festival of the year. If administrative orders directly restrict key rituals, it can easily trigger dissatisfaction.”
As of now, local authorities have not issued a detailed public statement explaining the events or confirming whether anyone was detained or punished during the confrontation.
The incident highlights the tensions that can arise when government regulations clash with deeply rooted local traditions, particularly in regions where cultural festivals remain central to community life.
