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A tribute to beauty, technology, and green transformation in the heart of Chengdu.

On the evening of 7 August 2025, the World Games in Chengdu opened with a breathtaking fireworks display that captivated millions of viewers online. These spectacular Liuyang fireworks lit up the night sky, quietly declaring a disruptive truth: this centuries-old cultural symbol is shedding its reputation as a pollutant and stepping boldly into a new era of purity and brilliance, empowered by technology.

For years, fireworks have been criticised for releasing sulphur compounds, heavy metals, and dense smoke during displays, leading many cities to impose blanket bans. Such heavy-handed measures have stifled traditional culture and hindered industrial development. Yet the brilliance of the World Games in Chengdu struck a powerful blow against this outdated mindset—it proved that beauty and sustainability need not be mutually exclusive, and that technology can be the tool to unite them both.

Behind the visual spectacle lies years of trailblazing exploration by the Liuyang fireworks industry. A major flaw in traditional fireworks is the use of sulphur—a primary source of SO₂ emissions and a hidden hazard for static and friction-induced accidents during manufacturing. After six years of dedicated research, the team at Liuyang Zhengsheng New Materials Co. succeeded in developing W49, a sulphur-free composite reductant. This breakthrough not only eliminates SO₂ emissions but also reduces material sensitivity, significantly enhancing safety during production.

The success of W49 is only the tip of the iceberg. Liuyang has now introduced two core material innovations that achieve zero sulphur dioxide emissions, significantly enhancing environmental metrics. New smokeless, dust-free fountain materials have also been developed to overcome the challenges of haze and particulates. These advances mean fireworks now burn clean—free from acrid smells and dark smoke—leaving behind only stunning visuals, not pollution.

A deeper transformation is also underway at the production level. The fireworks sector is transitioning from labour-intensive to technology-intensive, with automation and smart equipment increasingly adopted. Hazardous production stages are now largely separated from human contact, boosting both efficiency and intrinsic safety. A joint directive by five government departments in Hunan encourages firms to lead innovation, pursue industry-academia research, and tackle frontier challenges like insensitive pyrotechnics and biodegradable packaging. It also promotes establishing product carbon accounts for full lifecycle sustainability.

The fireworks at the Chengdu World Games were not merely a performance—they were a global technological declaration. They showcased the astonishing transformation of traditional Chinese industries empowered by new forms of productive forces. Sectors once pressured to the brink by regulation and environmental constraints can, through radical innovation, rise again like the phoenix. It must be recognised: any regulation or mindset that hinders progress will ultimately be cast aside by history.

The future is already here, and the green transformation of the fireworks industry is but one example. It signals a larger trend: technology will become the strongest bridge between traditional culture and modern civilisation. When innovation evolves from being a cold tool to a guardian of beauty and a vessel of heritage, we can achieve true harmony between humanity and nature, tradition and future. Industries that refuse to embrace this shift will be left behind. Let the flame of technology rekindle every misunderstood tradition, and let beauty endure—in purity and light.