In Catholic countries Christmas is one of the most significant events of the year. Although the official day is December 25, the festive atmosphere is already beginning to be evident in the weeks leading up to the date. But not all nations enjoy the same traditions, have you ever thought about how Christmas is lived in countries like China?
Although it is very difficult to determine the number of Christians in China, the government offered an approximate figure: 25 million, 18 million Protestants and 6 million Catholics. With this minority, it is explained that Christmas in the Asian country does not have the same importance as in other corners of the world, reason why all the festive protagonism is acquired by the Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
The influence of Western countries has caused Christmas to be incorporated into China’s commercial interests and, increasingly, into the traditions of many families. Did you know that China leads the world in the production of Christmas decorations?
According to the official Xinhua news agency, more than 60% of the world’s Christmas decorations are made in Yiwu, a town of about one million people located 300 km from Shanghai. And much of the production is sold in this huge wholesale market.
Nowadays many streets are decorated with Christmas motifs (usually in excess), as well as shopping malls. There are Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, Christmas carols with music and in English and some Santa Claus with slanting eyes that entertain the families who are shopping.
The old man of Christmas, as Santa Claus is known, (Sheng Dan Lao Ren in Chinese) is for them the representative of this holiday, for the children he is in charge of leaving their gifts on December 24. However, they do not have a very clear idea of what the days after Advent are.
