After delaying 61 flights just this year, traditional flying lanterns are now banned in a famous scenic city in south China's Hainan Province, local officials said Tuesday.

The ban, which includes the sale and use of the lanterns, went in to effect Sunday in Sanya.

The lamps delayed 15 flights at Sanya's Phoenix International Airport, stranding hundreds of passengers for up to one and half hours on Feb. 9 this year. That was the day of the Chinese Lantern Festival, said Zhang Yunxun, an official with the Sanya Public Security Bureau.

Flying lanterns not only threaten civil flights, they are also a potential fire hazard.

"The temperature could be as high as 300 degrees Celsius inside and could set fire to forests and houses." Zhang said. "Anybody who violates the rule and causes an accident will be punished."

The lamp, made of paper and carried aloft by hot air from a candle inside, was first used as a signal in ancient battles. It became popular among people in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) as a symbol of wishes. Citizens and tourists in Sanya follow the custom and use the lantern to express their good wishes each night.

The lamp is also known as the Kongming Lamp. Legendary has it that it was invented by Zhuge Kongming (181-234), statesman and strategist in the Three Kingdoms period.

Source:Xinhua