Lawmaker calls for legislation for extra holidays
By Yu Nan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-03-14 14:55

An NPC (National People's Congress) lawmaker said on Monday that legislation to make traditional holidays like Tomb-sweeping Day and the Dragon Boat Festival official holidays is under review by China's State Council.

Ji Baocheng, president of the Remin University of China, said that concerning last year's submitted proposal to promote the legislation of traditional holidays, Chinese lawmaking departments have responded positively, and added that he was grateful for such positive feedback.

Ji said the proposal, if enacted, would further promote Chinese traditional culture and enhance Chinese people's cohesion and sense of national identity, hence forming a harmonious society.

If legislated, in addition to being set as official holidays, the Chinese traditional holidays could also provide more opportunities for people to develop various other cultural activities, according to Ji.

"Some Western holidays like Saint Valentine's Day nowadays are widely recognized by young Chinese while the influence of traditional holidays on them seems rather weak. Even a considerable number of the youths don't know the history of the traditional holidays," he said.

Ji said that besides Tomb-sweeping Day and the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-term Autumn, he also proposed making New Year's Eve as official holidays.

"Besides, the Spring Festival holiday could be extended by 3 days, while the May Day holiday could be reduced from 7 days to 5 days," he added.