Bells ring for Santa in China (Xinhua) Updated: 2004-12-25 09:31 Christmas is catching on across China, despite the
fact that only 1 percent of the country's citizens say they are
Christians.
A recent poll among Chinese residents found that 70 percent
enjoy the holiday. While Christmas is largely a religious festival in the
West, Chinese people say they enjoy it as a time to get together with family and
friends.
Meanwhile, merchants are tuning in to the holiday's marketing
potential.
Most of the world's Santa Clauses are now made in China,
according to a study by the German Chamber of Commerce. And China is becoming
the biggest production base for the world's Christmas gifts.
Rui Wa, who
sells Christmas gifts and ornaments in Beijing, said she purchased 1,000
artificial Christmas trees from Hong Kong in early November and is almost sold
out. Newsweek magazine correspondent Paul Mooney remembers the first
Christmas he spent in China in 1994.
"I felt sad and homesick at that
moment, because very few people celebrated the day," he said. "Things have
changed a lot now. We can see Christmas decorations everywhere in downtown
Beijing."
Smiling Santa Clauses, colorful Christmas stockings, trees and
"Merry Christmas" greetings are everywhere. "Jingle Bells" echoes in many of the
capital's shopping malls.
"Although we are far from our country we feel
at home here, because Beijing is filled with a festive atmosphere," said William
Lindesay, an American involved in Great Wall protection work.
"Christmas
has exceeded its original religious connotation and has spread to every
country," he said. "It is a world festival, and a season for spreading love and
warmth."
Wang Xinnong, a sociologist at Tianjin University, is not
surprised at the increasing popularity of Christmas.
"It is inevitable
that some Western holidays such as Christmas and Valentine's Day have become
popular in China," he said.
"As a result of exchanges between various
cultures, it is common that some Western customs are becoming accepted by more
and more Chinese people.
"Christmas brings us joy and happiness."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|