China Dismisses Officials After Controversial Arc'teryx Fireworks Show in Tibet

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:04:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the aftermath of a fireworks display designed by Arc'teryx that sparked environmental concerns, four officials in Tibet face dismissal and investigations as backlash grows.

Following a controversial fireworks display in Tibet by outdoor brand Arc'teryx, which aimed to promote local mountain culture, four officials have been dismissed due to the ensuing environmental backlash. The event, criticized for damaging the ecological landscape and disturbing local wildlife, has led to an apology from the brand and calls for boycotts from social media users.

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 Chinese pyrotechnics artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who designed the show, later apologized.

Authorities in Tibet's Shigatse city stated on Wednesday that more officials had been investigated and given warnings. They indicated that Arc'teryx and Cai must provide compensation and support to 'restore the environment.'

Authorities mentioned the fireworks, which lasted nearly a minute and impacted approximately 30 hectares (74 acres) of grassland, caused limited short-term damage but warranted further monitoring to evaluate '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 dismissed include Gyantse county's Communist Party secretary, public security chief, and two senior members from county and city-level environmental agencies.

The artist Cai, renowned for his work behind the 2008 Beijing Olympics fireworks, has expressed willingness to collaborate with authorities in Tibet for area recovery.

Social media users pointed out that the stunt contradicted Arc'teryx's conservation-oriented image and called for a boycott of the brand.

Founded in 1989, Arc'teryx operates over 150 stores globally and is currently under the ownership of Hong Kong-listed Anta Sports.

Despite claiming the display aimed to promote local mountain culture, the brand acknowledged its actions were 'out of line with Arc'teryx's values' and stated it had utilized biodegradable materials, affirming plans to engage an external agency to assess the project's environmental impact.