Chinese New Year – online
The Chinese New Year started on Saturday and, celebrated for about fifteen days, it’s the “one moment in the year when the whole nation feels united as they can imagine each other’s enjoyment,” says 123chinesenewyear, going on:
“As every one is aware of its significance, the working people in china can take weeks of holidays so that they can join the company of their near and dear ones and a feast with their family members on the chinese new year eve or Lunar New Year’s Eve.
“Although with the changing times and increasing mobility of the people the celebration of Chinese New Year Festival has undergone some changes, everybody still very fervently follow all the customs that their elders have taught them.”
Maybe not, though.
And it’s all down to the net, says state news agency Xinhau.
“The new practices, which are in stark contrast with traditional customs, have sparked controversy”, it says.
“Some young Chinese have chosen to spend the week-long Chinese Lunar New Year holiday at home. They shop online, send virtual greetings to relatives and friends, and even enjoy virtual fireworks.”
According to Taobao.com, China’s biggest online retail site, “transaction volume in Spring Festival special goods exceeded 1 billion yuan (146.6 million U.S. dollars) in January alone, much higher than the 280 million yuan a year earlier”, it says.
Xinhua also quotes teacher Zhang Jibo as saying “while it is necessary for the younger generation to make efforts to conserve this traditional Spring Festival culture, new ways of enjoying the Spring Festival can also be explored.”
With that in mind, “The technology’s in place” he says.
“So now it’s all down to business.”
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