China Dismisses Officials After Controversial Arc'teryx Fireworks in Tibet

Thu Oct 16 2025 14:13:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Chinese government has dismissed several officials following a fireworks display organized by outdoor brand Arc'teryx in Tibet, which sparked environmental concerns and public backlash.

In a striking move, the Chinese government has terminated four officials over a controversial fireworks display by Arc'teryx in Tibet. The event, designed to celebrate mountain culture, resulted in widespread criticism for its environmental impact and prompted a boycott of the brand. Authorities have pledged to monitor ecological risks as Arc'teryx and Cai Guo-Qiang, the artist behind the display, express willingness to assist in environmental recovery efforts.

Four Chinese officials have been dismissed over a fireworks display in the Himalayas last month by outdoor apparel brand Arc'teryx that drew heated criticism.

Videos of brightly coloured fireworks that apparently resembled a rising dragon erupting over a lush Tibetan landscape had sparked environmental concerns and a boycott campaign.

Arc'teryx and the Chinese pyrotechnics artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who designed the show, later apologized.

Authorities in Tibet's Shigatse city said in a statement on Wednesday that more officials had been investigated and given warnings. They added that Arc'teryx and Cai have to provide compensation and help restore the environment.

The fireworks, which lasted for nearly a minute and affected around 30 hectares (74 acres) of grassland, caused limited short-term damage, but officials said further monitoring was necessary to assess ecological risks.

The incident created fireworks remnants, plastic debris and other things that were not thoroughly cleaned, the statement added. The instantaneous bright light and loud noise produced by the fireworks caused short-term disturbance to wild animals.

The four officials who have been sacked include Gyantse county's Communist Party secretary, public security chief, and two senior members of the county and city-level environmental agencies.

The artist who orchestrated the display, Cai, is best-known for his role behind fireworks for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has stated he would work with authorities in Tibet to help with the area's recovery.

Social media users, who said the stunt ran counter to Arc'teryx's conservation-focused image, had called for a boycott of the brand.

Arc'teryx was founded in 1989 and has more than 150 shops worldwide. It is now owned by a Hong Kong-listed fitness equipment company Anta Sports.

The firm claimed the display had been aimed to promote local mountain culture, but said in its apology that it was out of line with Arc'teryx's values. It also stated it had used biodegradable materials and would work with an external agency to assess the project's impact.

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