Chinese cities ban 'ghost money' burns: The move sparks a public outcry after officials say paper offerings for the dead are 'feudal superstition'.

Chinese cities have recently banned the burning of "ghost money" and other paper offerings for the dead, labeling the practice as "feudal superstition." This move has sparked public outcry and debate on social media. The bans have been issued in various cities, including Tianjin, Nenjiang, and Nantong, among others. The burning of ghost money and the sale of superstitious goods have also been banned in Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Qingdao, Henan, Chongqing, and Lanzhou in recent years. These bans aim to crack down on what the authorities perceive as "feudal superstitions." However, there has been pushback from social media users who feel that the government is trying to control people's expressions of mourning for their loved ones. The bans have also raised concerns about hill fires and air pollution caused by the mass burning of offerings. Despite the bans, some commentators argue that this custom is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and should be respected. [Extracted from the article]