The Investigation of Rising Popularity of Celebrating Christmas in China

The Investigation of Rising Popularity of Celebrating Christmas in China

With the aid of electronic networks of communication and information technology, advanced electronic communication erodes the constraints of distance and time on social interaction and thus intensifies the interregional interconnectedness of different countries. Being a member of the global village, it is inevitable to cause an influx of foreign cultures into China. According to Held and McGrew (2007:3), "a growing magnitude or intensity of global flows such that states and societies become increasingly enmeshed in worldwide systems and networks of interaction. As a consequence, distant occurrences and developments can come to have serious domestic impacts." With a better transmission of information, Chinese people are exposed to gain a better understanding about foreign cultures. In addition, in recent years, the rising tide of celebrating Christmas is sweeping across the globe by adopting different kinds of business strategies. As a consequence, Christmas starts to become an increasingly popular festival in China. With reference to the survey done by Social Survey Institute of China (2009) in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Haerbing, Guangzhou and Changsha, 97.2% of the respondents acknowledged the existence of Christmas and even were interested in celebrating Christmas. In the following paragraphs, the current situation, reasons and consequences of celebrating Christmas in China will be thoroughly discussed.

CURRENT SITUATION OF CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN CHINA

In western countries, Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, most people, excluding the Christians, do not know a great deal about the origins or significance of Christmas in China. According to Social Survey Institute of China (2009), only 10% of the respondents knew the origins of Christmas and also only 3% of them could tell who Jesus's mother was. Christmas has already developed its own Chinese characteristics. Instead of going to the church with families, Christmas is regarded as a day for entertainment and fun. According to Global Times (2006), near 60% of the interviewees perceived Christmas as an occasion to present their love to their lovers, friends and parents while 35% of the respondents regarded Christmas as a festival only for entertainment and relaxation. In other words, celebrating Christmas has almost become an occasion for affluent, trendy and young Chinese to shop and party. With reference to Xinhua net (2005), 90 % of the interviewees had special arrangements at Christmas Eve, such as party or gathering with friends.

During Christmas, both shops and shopping malls are decked with Christmas decoration few weeks in advance, together with the Christmas carols blasting from the mall sound system. For instance, according to China Digital Times (2012), in Xian, 400,000 people flocked to Dongda Street to celebrate Christmas. Some of them dressed up as a Santa Claus or wore wigs. Everywhere is full of joyful and harmonious atmosphere.

With reference to The China Business Review (1996), "On Christmas Eve, all the big hotels throw no-holds-barred parties that are well-attended by both foreigners and well-to-do Chinese. Hybrid Christmas traditions start to emerge: masquerade balls; dinners of turkey, accompanied by champagne. In recent years, the Beijing Concert Hall offered a "Silent Night" concert starting at 10:30 on Christmas Eve that was sold out 2 weeks in advance."

Chinese youngsters are particularly passionate in celebrating Christmas. Christmas is perceived as an occasion for entertainment with their friends. With reference to Gifford (2002), "a senior-year student who calls himself Joseph is discussing his plans for Christmas with his friends. He says he will be going out for a big meal on Christmas Day and then staying out late at a nearby disco. What he knows is that at Christmas time, modern Chinese guys need to be out partying." Apparently, from the teens' perspective, Christmas is a light-hearted and joyful day for going out and being with friends to do shopping or relax which is far different from the practice of the Westerners.

REASONS OF RISING POPULARITY OF CHRISTMAS IN CHINA

The rising popularity of Christmas in China will be analyzed from the perspective of economic, politics and culture.

First of all, from the perspective of economic, the popularity of Christmas is explained by the increasing globalization of economic activities. According to Dicken (2007:303), "in the past, of course, geographical distance created a strong insulating effect. Today, in contrast, fewer and fewer industries are oriented towards local, regional or even national markets. A growing number of economic activities have meaning only in a global extent." Christmas boom is resulted by the growing foreign market for local celebration and the overflow of toys and Christmas decorations. According to The New York Times (2000), "year by year the Santa and associated paraphernalia make their way to increasingly remote places. Mr. Zhang has shipped his oversized Santa to every Chinese province except Tibet and Qinghai. Also, the sales of Christmas kitsch are growing by about 50 percent a year." As a result, Santa's trappings are cropping up across China, majority of the cities has been turned into virtual Santa's villages during the Christmas season.

By importing the Christmas trappings, China embraces Christmas in all its commercial glory. Undoubtedly, commercialism is of paramount importance at Christmas, rather than religious purpose in China. In accordance with Inter Press Service (1997), Zhao Xuemei claimed that "though many Chinese cannot afford to buy something more than a Christmas card as a present, the fashion of exchanging greeting cards with soulful wishes for regeneration and new luck is increasingly common." Christmas has turned winter into an endless consumer promotion with shopping malls offering all sorts of discounts and gift-with-purchase promotions. On the basis of The China Business Review (1996), in Beijing, "young Chinese couples crowd the Yaohan Department Store, choosing between imitation and real Christmas trees. Chinese yuppies hurry out of the office to finish Christmas shopping before the traditional Christmas Eve karaoke gathering."

Subsequent to China reform and Opening Up 30 years ago, foreign cultures or foreign enterprises easily assimilate into Chinese society. According to The New York Times (2000), "the gaining popularity of Christmas has less to do with the growth of Christianity in China than it does with the growth of foreign joint-venture