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 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 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 nearly a minute and affected around 30 hectares (74 acres) of grassland, have caused limited short-term damage, but further monitoring is required to assess ecological risks.
The incident created fireworks remnants, plastic debris, and other materials that were not thoroughly cleaned. The instantaneous bright light and loud noise produced by the fireworks caused short-term disturbance to wildlife.
The sacked officials include the Communist Party secretary of Gyantse County, the public security chief, and two senior members of county and city-level environmental agencies.
Cai, known for his role in the fireworks display for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has expressed willingness to collaborate with authorities in Tibet for recovery efforts.
Social media users criticized the event, suggesting it contradicted Arc'teryx's conservation-focused image, leading to calls for a boycott of the brand.
Founded in 1989 and currently owned by Anta Sports, Arc'teryx claimed the fireworks display aimed to promote local mountain culture. However, they acknowledged it was out of line with Arc'teryx's values and pledged to assess the project's impact with external agencies.
