Fireworks Shop Owner Dies by Suicide After Clash with Officials

The owner of a fireworks shop in central China has died by suicide after destroying his own business in a protest against local authorities, Chinese media report. The man, surnamed Peng, operated the shop in Chenzhou, Hunan province, for three years. Officials recently closed the business for failing to meet air quality standards. In response, Peng used explosives to blow up his own shop last week. He died on Tuesday after ingesting pesticide, according to reports by the mainland magazine China Newsweek and the Shandong-based Qilu Evening News. The reports did not provide further details on the circumstances. The incident highlights tensions that can arise between small business owners and regulatory enforcement in China.