Christmas is a traditional holiday in the West, and its origin and meaning are related to Christianity. However, in China, the festival has been given a new meaning and form, becoming a popular cultural phenomenon. How is Christmas celebrated in China? Is it really gone?
The history and current situation of Christmas in China
The spread of Christmas in China can be traced back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, when Catholic missionaries brought the holiday to China. However, due to religious and cultural differences, Christmas is not widely popular in China and is only celebrated among some churches and believers. It was not until after the reform and opening up, with the exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, that Christmas gradually entered the field of vision of Chinese and became a new opportunity for consumption and entertainment.
According to the data of Alibaba Index, the market demand for Christmas-related products and services in China is on the rise, especially in some economically developed cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, etc. Young people in China, especially the highly educated generation, are more receptive to and experiencing Western culture, and they see Christmas as an opportunity to get together with friends, lovers, or family to enjoy food, gifts, music, and atmosphere.
Controversy and reflection on Christmas in China
The popularity of Christmas in China has also sparked some controversy and reflection. On the one hand, some people believe that Christmas is a cultural invasion that weakens the influence of traditional Chinese festivals and national culture, and makes the Chinese lose their roots and soul.
They called on Chinese to stick to their own festivals, such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, instead of blindly following Western customs. On the other hand, some people believe that Christmas is a cultural exchange that enriches China's diverse culture and broadens the horizons and hearts of Chinese. They believe that Chinese should respect and appreciate different cultures, rather than exclusion and hostility.
In this controversy, there is an incident that has attracted widespread attention and discussion, that is, on December 24, 2023, a senior media person named Hu Xijin posted a remark on Weibo related to Christmas and the Battle of Changjin Lake.
Hu Xijin said that he opposes the antagonism between Christmas and the victory anniversary of Changjin Lake, and that it is the legitimate right of the Chinese people to celebrate the "foreign festival." His remarks immediately caused a fierce reaction from netizens, some of whom agreed with his views and others criticized his attitude. Among them, a netizen from Jilin said that instead of spending Christmas Eve, it is better to remember the martyrs who sacrificed for the safety of the motherland.
The meaning and outlook of Christmas in China
Christmas is a complex topic in China, involving many aspects such as culture, history, politics, economy, and society. It reflects China's openness and pluralism, but also exposes China's confusion and conflict. It is both an entertainment and a consumption, as well as a recognition and value.
Is Christmas really gone in China? The answer is no. Christmas in China has just changed, it is no longer a purely religious holiday, but a cultural phenomenon, a social psychology, a way of life. Christmas in China will not last forever, it is just a product of the times, an expression of a stage, and an experience of a process.
The ultimate meaning and outlook of Christmas in China depends on the Chinese themselves. How Chinese view and treat Christmas, how to balance and integrate their own traditions and modernity, how to maintain and develop their own culture and country, these are all questions that Chinese themselves need to think about and answer.
epilogue
Christmas in China is neither a cultural invasion nor a cultural exchange, but a cultural phenomenon, a social psychology, and a way of life. Christmas in China will not disappear and will not exist forever, it is just a product of an era, an expression of a stage, and an experience of a process. The ultimate meaning and outlook of Christmas in China depends on the Chinese themselves.