Usually today is an occasion to gather with friends and relatives to dance or walk around the whole night, especially to see the traditional fireworks.

The fire in the sky allows young men to escape parental vigilance and try to seduce their first girlfriend during the romantic, sparkling night.

Today is an opportunity to bask in the French spirit, but how can I celebrate it here in China?

Many French expats like me received an email from our embassy last week explaining that the French community was too large in Beijing and the embassy could not entertain everybody.

I later learned that only a few VIPs would be attending the party. But what is worse, there are no firework celebrations. The embassy's budget did not allow for such an event, according to the embassy email. On a day like today, my French mind turns to thoughts of revolution. As president Anatole France said: "We thought we fought for party, and we discovered we died for industrial bosses."

No fireworks? A limited aristocratic elite partying with my taxes?

Draw your blades citizens! They want to butcher the national spirit!

So here is my plan to celebrate my national day. With the sounds of my national anthem La Marseilaise humming through my soul, I will sleep in and later wash this felony in red wine at one of the many French restaurants in Beijing.

Vive la difference!

(China Daily July 14, 2008)