Christmas, a religious holiday originated in the West, is
prevailing in China where only 1.15 percent of Chinese are
Christians.
"Although we are far from our country but we feel at home here,
because Beijing is filled with festival atmosphere," said William
Lindesay, an American who works for the protection work for the
Great Wall.
In the lobby of Oriental Plaza in Wangfujing Street, downtown
Beijing, a beer-bottle Christmas tree, about eight-meter tall and
weighing seven tons, is decorated with dazzling lights and gift
boxes.
Such a tree would have been seen as an exaggerated and bizarre
ornament in the past. In today's Beijing, however, smiling Santa
Clauses, colorful Christmas stockings, trees and slogans with
Merry Christmas are everywhere. Jingle Bells
resounds in many of the metropolis' shopping malls.
Angela Smith, an Italian student in the Capital Economic and
Trade University, marveled at the city's festival atmosphere.
"Beijing's Christmas is as bustling as that in my hometown," she
exclaimed.
Rui Wa, a seller of Christmas gifts and ornaments in her 40s, said
she purchased 1,000 new-style Christmas trees from Hongkong in
early November and the stock is running low.
The revolving tree she mentioned costs 399 yuan (US$48.2). It is an
ordinary one among numerous Christmas products she sells.
Decades ago, Christmas in China was only an extravagant festival
celebrated only among a few young people in fashion. But today, it
is becoming an important day for increasing urbanites.
"Christmas has exceeded its original religious connotation and
spreads to every country," said Lindesay. "It is a world festival,
and a season of spreading love and warmth."
In the memory of Jim, his ten-year-old son, every Christmas he had
is in Beijing. "When Christmas Eve comes, some Chinese kids and I
will play games and sing songs, and spend happy moment
together."
Lindesay chose a Santa Clause for his 10-year-old son Jim as
Christmas gift. "I will put it in a stocking, and hang it on the
side of his bed," he said.
Although Lindesay and his family live in China, they keep the
traditional way of celebrating Christmas. "We will hold a party
with our friends, sit around Christmas tree and eat turkey and
cookies."
Until now, Paul Mooney, correspondent of the Newsweek in
China, still remembers the first Christmas he spent in China. "That
was 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," Mooney said. "We can see Christmas
decorations everywhere in downtown Beijing. Even in front of the
building I live, there are two big Christmas trees."
In his eyes, Chinese people celebrating Christmas is a result of
cultural exchanges and will not affect the traditional Chinese
culture. During the season, people can meet friends and have fun
together, watch movies and go to the church. They can also learn
English and Western religious culture.
"We also like celebrating Chinese traditional spring festival,"
Mooney said.
Andrew Watson, chief representative of the Ford Foundation,
believes two reasons are pushing Christmas popularity in China:
first, more and more foreigners rush to China; second, Christmas
economy has a role.
According to a survey of the Germany Chamber, most Santa Clauses in
the world are made in China. China is becoming the biggest
production base for world Christmas gifts.
John Robson and his wife, who are traveling in China, bought bags
of Christmas gifts in the Xiushui Street. "The price of such
product is three or four times in the United States. We plan to buy
some products here and bring them back to our country for family
and friends," Robson said, adding that they can save a lot of
money.
For young Chinese, they have their own reasons of celebrating
Christmas.
"We are not worshipping foreign traditions. In our daily life, we
are under great working pressure. We just want to find an excuse to
enjoy ourselves," said Ms Lin, a 27-year-old white collar.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)