Don’t let Qingming tomb-sweeping get "too fiery"; don’t cross the legal red line.

[2] Compiled from: Pingyi County Procuratorate
 
[3] Qingming is one of the traditional Chinese festivals and also one of the most important occasions for ancestor worship, a time for paying respects to ancestors and sweeping tombs. People observe traditional customs such as burning paper money, setting off firecrackers, and sweeping graves to honor the deceased. Outdoor fire-related activities increase significantly, and with dry and windy conditions, fire risks are high. Moreover, some actions, if not careful, can step into legal "minefields." 

 
 

 
[4] 1. Pay Attention to Fire Safety
[5] During the Qingming Festival, the weather is dry and prone to fires, making it the peak season for fire-related incidents. Common illegal acts include wildfires caused by burning paper money, setting off firecrackers, or releasing sky lanterns. Therefore, everyone must strictly follow outdoor fire regulations and be cautious with fire use. In the event of a fire, it is essential to report it to the fire department immediately to control the spread and minimize damage.
 
"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"
[6] Article 115
Arson, flooding, explosion, or releasing toxic, radioactive, or infectious disease pathogens, or using other dangerous methods that cause serious injury or death to others, or result in major losses to public or private property, shall be punished by fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years, life imprisonment, or death. Whoever negligently commits the crime in the preceding paragraph shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years; if the circumstances are relatively minor, they shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention. 
 
 
Second, burning renminbi during sacrificial rites is illegal.
In recent years, news of burning renminbi during the Qingming Festival has not been uncommon, and some netizens have openly proposed burning real banknotes for sacrificial purposes on forums and bulletin boards. Some elderly people believe that placing real banknotes among spirit money and burning them can enhance the authenticity of the spirit money, ensuring that deceased relatives receive real currency. This practice has been passed down through generations, forming a so-called "custom" in certain areas.
 
Burning paper money during the Qingming Festival to express longing for the deceased is understandable, but the bad habit of mixing and burning real renminbi should not be encouraged and must be resolutely opposed, as such behavior violates national laws.
 
The Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China
Article 19
It is prohibited to counterfeit or alter renminbi. It is prohibited to sell or purchase counterfeit or altered renminbi. It is prohibited to transport, possess, or use counterfeit or altered renminbi. It is prohibited to intentionally damage renminbi. It is prohibited to illegally use renminbi designs on promotional materials, publications, or other goods.
 
 
3. Production and sale of "ghost money" resembling RMB is illegal.
4. On the current Qingming market, sacrificial ghost money notes closely resemble circulating or previously circulated RMB in size, color, patterns, and denominations, even including counterfeit versions of the new "golden" 100-yuan note. Some notes replace "People's Bank" with "Ghost Bank." Without careful inspection, they can easily be mistaken for real currency. Producing and selling such ghost money, though seemingly common, is actually illegal.
 
The Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China
第44条
5. The People's Bank of China shall order the correction of illegal use of RMB designs on promotional materials, publications, or other goods, destroy the illegally used designs, confiscate illegal gains, and impose a fine of up to 50,000 yuan.
 
 
6. Pay attention to travel safety and comply with epidemic prevention regulations.
7. As Qingming Festival approaches, travel activities for tomb-sweeping and outings increase. When driving, ensure traffic safety to avoid accidents, comply with epidemic prevention rules, and practice civilized memorial rites.
 
 
"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"
Article 133
Whoever violates traffic and transport regulations, thereby causing a major accident resulting in serious injury or death, or causing heavy losses to public or private property, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years or criminal detention. If a person escapes after causing a traffic accident or has other particularly flagrant circumstances, the sentence shall be fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years. If the escape causes death, the sentence shall be fixed-term imprisonment of not less than seven years.
 
Article 133(A): Whoever drives a motor vehicle on the road under any of the following circumstances shall be sentenced to criminal detention and fined:
(1) Engaging in drag racing under恶劣 circumstances;
(2) Driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Where the acts in the preceding two paragraphs also constitute other crimes, the offender shall be convicted and punished in accordance with the provisions for the heavier penalty.
 
 
[1] The author's perspective
After today, the Qingming Festival holiday begins. In China, it has always been a custom to honor ancestors during Qingming Festival. However, with social development, some unreasonable tomb-sweeping customs should also be abandoned, such as mixing real money with paper money for burning, or using open flames to burn items. This not only easily causes fires but also produces smoke and carbon dioxide, polluting the environment. Therefore, various regions are now advocating for flame-free tomb-sweeping. However, if the traditional method of burning paper money must be used, regulations for outdoor fire use must be strictly followed. In the event of a fire, the fire department must be notified immediately to control the spread of the fire and reduce losses.
 
In addition, traffic congestion is also a serious issue, so driving safety must be ensured during travel. If a traffic accident occurs, the police should be promptly notified to avoid more severe consequences. As we are still in the period of epidemic prevention and control, gatherings should be avoided. If there are special prevention policies in the local area, the rules must be followed, and one should not act willfully. After all, Qingming worship is a matter of sincerity, but once the law is violated, severe consequences will inevitably follow.