Spring Festival reunion leaves Chinese warm-hearted and optimistic

cctv.com 01-28-2004 14:39

As China's most-celebrated traditional festival, Spring Festival, is one of the best embodiment of the nation's never-changing commitment to family stability.

Despite all forms of trouble on road, billions of people faithfully start their annual homeward journey, just for a brief reunion with their loved ones. No matter how average Chinese spent the week-long holiday, everyone's heart is filled with warmth and renewed courage to strive for better future.

The idea of returning home is probably on the mind of everyone who works away from their hometown. And the idea is quickly turned into concrete deeds. Every year before and after the Spring Festival, the amount of people travelling back and forth around the nation are quite phenomenal. It's estimated that transports of all forms in China has sent off and received nearly 1.9 billion passengers for this Spring Festival, a rare seasonal massive migration in the world.

But a family feast on the Eve of the Lunar New Year is no longer what the Spring Festival is all about. A tour abroad, especially to island countries rich in sun shine and novelties is becoming more and more average Chinese families' choice for festival celebration. Up till now, nearly 17 million Chinese have travelled overseas. And the World Tourism Organization predict, in less than two decades, the number will reach 100 million.

"Do you go skiing this year?" This casual greeting has quickly become not only a catchy phrase, but also a sort of summons for many young urbanites. More and more Chinese families are accepting this foreign sport form as an exhilarating way to spend the festival. Dozens of new skiing fields have sprung up in suburban Beijing as if overnight, attracting more young people to experience the down-hill vogue.

But most Chinese still prefers to stay at home for a quiet holiday. They just have to pick up the phonecall to greet relatives and friends. As more and more people are in possesion of cell phones, short messages service is extremely popular. It's estimated Chnese have send out more than 10 billion pieces of short messages to extend good wishes during the Spring Festival.

Editor:Xiao  Source:CCTV.com