According to a report by China Daily on March 11…
Liuyang, a county-level city in Hunan, long celebrated as the cradle of China’s fireworks industry, is transforming a seasonal craft into a year-round global cultural and technological enterprise.
From Family Workshops to Drone-Enabled Spectacles
For decades, Liuyang’s fireworks sector followed a simple model: produce and export. Creativity and intellectual property were rare. That began to change when Zhang Yang took over Liuyang Intently Fireworks Display Co Ltd.
2025 output value: 50 billion yuan ($7.26 billion)
Share of China’s fireworks exports: ~70%
Jobs supported: ~300,000
Zhang has shifted the focus from industrial production to creative storytelling and performance, turning fireworks into cultural works and tourism attractions.
Pioneering Drone Fireworks Technology
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhang redirected resources to develop heavy-payload drones capable of launching fireworks, merging traditional pyrotechnics with aviation engineering:
Drones with wingspans >1 meter, industrial-grade carbon-fiber mounts
Remote ignition at 500 meters, resistant to signal interference
Redesign of propellants and launch systems to balance recoil and stability
In 2025, Intently showcased its new system at the Liuyang Fireworks Competition, winning top honors with a nine-tiered display inspired by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. Later, the company set a Guinness World Record, launching 7,900 drone-mounted fireworks simultaneously with minimal smoke.
Environmental Innovation
Sustainability is central to Liuyang’s new fireworks technology:
Finer-milled propellant and honeycomb-shaped charges for complete combustion
Water-based binders replace alcohol and resin
Sulfur-free formulations reduce residue by ~80%
“Fireworks are no longer synonymous with high risk and pollution,” Zhang says. “They are precise, controllable technology products.”
Cultural Storytelling & Emotional Economy
Liuyang has leveraged the emotional economy, blending fireworks with narrative and immersive experiences:
Example: “White Moon and Brahma Star” integrates drone choreography with storytelling inspired by the legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai
Audience engagement has shifted from passive viewing to co-creating cultural experiences
Weekend shows at the Liuyang Sky Theater attract over 7 million visitors since 2023, generating 20+ billion yuan in local spending
Global Market & Technology Export
Liuyang is moving from exporting products to exporting experiences and Chinese culture:
Drone fireworks now shipped to markets like Ethiopia
International clients increasingly purchase turnkey shows rather than standalone fireworks
Revival of Song Dynasty palace fireworks demonstrates integration of 1,400-year tradition with modern engineering
“Liuyang’s industrial ecosystem thrives on openness and collaboration,” Zhang says. “We are exporting technology, culture, and a story, not just fireworks.”
Key Takeaways for Investors and Observers
Industrial modernization: Drone integration, automation, and digital safety systems transform traditional production.
Environmental leadership: Green propellants and low-smoke displays reduce ecological impact.
Cultural economy growth: Fireworks experiences drive tourism, emotional consumption, and related industries.
Global competitiveness: Turnkey solutions and intellectual property strengthen international market position.
Innovation-driven industrial ecosystem: Combines heritage, technology, and creative entrepreneurship.