Jianhu Fireworks

Jianhu Fireworks

Jianhu Fireworks is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Geographical Scope

　　　In August 1993, Jiangsu Jianhu Firecrackers & Fireworks Industrial Co., Ltd. obtained the right to export independently. In August 1996, the company achieved the “zero breakthrough” in independent exports of Jianhu fireworks. In December 1997, it was listed as a protected local traditional craft and art variety in Jiangsu Province. In 2001, during the province-wide fireworks enterprises rectification, 29 enterprises were retained, including 19 from Jianhu. In 2003, the Mountain Products & Floral Company under China National Native Products & Animal By-products Import & Export Corporation acquired the Jianhu Fireworks Factory and established Jiangsu Senhong Fireworks Co., Ltd. By 2005, the county had 19 fireworks enterprises, including 14 export-oriented ones, 1 specialized black powder manufacturer, with production scale and total output accounting for over 80% of the province’s total. The annual production included more than 1,000 varieties across fourteen major categories such as large-scale fireworks, aerial shells, and various toy fireworks, with an annual output of 1.1 million cases. Products were sold domestically to 15 provinces and cities, and exported to over 30 countries across five continents. In 2007, according to urban planning and work safety requirements, five fireworks production enterprises within the urban planning area—Jiangsu Zhongshanhua Fireworks Co., Ltd., Jianhu County Jiuxing Fireworks Co., Ltd., Jianhu County Shuangsheng Fireworks Co., Ltd., Yancheng Yaoyu Fireworks Co., Ltd., and Jianhu County Taiyang Fireworks Co., Ltd.—along with three enterprises with relatively poor safety conditions—the Jianhu County Huatai Pharmaceutical Materials Factory, Jianhu County Shenzhou Co., Ltd., Songlou Fireworks Factory, and Jianyang Fireworks Factory—were shut down, merged, or relocated. Yaoyu Fireworks and Songlou Fireworks Factory were integrated to form Jianhu County Dongsheng Fireworks Co., Ltd. Shuangsheng Fireworks Co., Ltd. and Jianyang Fireworks Factory were merged to establish Jianhu County Hongda Fireworks Co., Ltd. By the end of 2008, the county had 12 fireworks enterprises, achieving sales of 62.86 million yuan and tax revenue of 16 million yuan.

　　Distinctive Quality

　　　　Since fireworks exports began in 1989, there has never been a quality claim incident. The quality of fireworks exported to Japan ranked first in China’s domestic industry for 20 consecutive years. In 2005, testing by the Japan Fireworks Testing Institute showed that the pass rate of Jianhu fireworks reached 96%, 32 percentage points higher than other domestic ports. Japanese merchants referred to “Jianhu Fireworks” as “exemplary goods” and designated Jianhu as a “quality model factory.” American and German merchants set up special counters to promote Jianhu fireworks as premium products. Its “ground sprays” were hailed by U.S. fireworks standards as “unique.” The “Bridge” brand fireworks have won the provincial Arts & Crafts “Hundred Flowers Award” and the title of Provincial Famous-Brand Product multiple times. Products such as the “Basketball Star” brand black powder firecrackers and the “Color Celebration” brand fireworks have been awarded the title of Ministerial Premium Products. In 2000, the county’s 14 export fireworks factories were the first in China’s industry to pass the ISO9000 and ISO9001:2000 international quality system certifications.

　　Cultural Anecdotes

　　　　Jianhu is a nationally renowned hometown of fireworks and one of the country’s five major fireworks production bases. Jianhu fireworks originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and have a history of over 300 years. From hundreds of household workshops during the Republican era to fireworks production cooperatives during the collectivization period, and then to clustered factory-based fireworks enterprises. Starting in the 1980s, the Jianhu fireworks industry entered a rapid expansion phase. In 1986, there were 33 fireworks manufacturers. In July 1989, the first batch of exported fireworks—15 varieties totaling 410 cases—was shipped to Thailand, filling the historical gap of fireworks exports from Jiangsu Province.