Hong Kong’s Myeongbo reported on the 19th that local governments in China are taking the lead in a “frugal holiday” campaign, including setting a cap on New Year’s cash gifts and guiding them to keep them ahead of the Lunar New Year. Analysts say that a campaign to “tighten our waist” is taking place as the economic outlook is not bright due to China’s prolonged slump in real estate, employment difficulties and sluggish consumption.
According to the newspaper, local governments in China recently proposed that New Year’s cash be given less than 20 yuan and banquets should not be held as much as possible in the Spring Festival guidelines issued under the pretext of “protecting the excellent tradition of thrift and saving.” Guangxi Province’s Vice Presidential Propaganda Department said in a document titled “How to eradicate New Year’s cash comparison culture,” “Residents should give less cash for New Year’s cash, and less than 20 yuan is appropriate.”
Restrictions on Chinese New Year’s holiday banquets are also being tightened. Gureen County in Sichuan Province issued a guideline on the 9th to refrain from “unnecessary banquets” except for weddings and funerals. Xianfeng County in Hubei Province called for refraining from large birthday parties for the elderly, such as a moving ceremony and a 60th birthday party, a full moon party (100th day of birth), and a farewell party for military enlistment. Jiangxi Province’s An Yi County also issued a recommendation, saying, “Do not hold all banquets except for important matters such as weddings and funerals, and do not invite them.”
“Let’s put down our smartphones, share household chores with our family, and enjoy holiday food,” Zhejiang said in a notice of the “Chun-Jae-Proposal” posted on WeChat’s account earlier this month. “Let’s eat the right amount of food and empty all the bowls at every meal.” Henan-seong’s media outlet “King Dahe” said, “Frugality does not lower your dignity in life, and you can still have a fun holiday.”
However, there are also criticisms that such uniform government guidelines are invading the individual’s territory. Chen Na-bo, a sociology professor at the People’s University of China, pointed out in a recent article by the People’s Daily that “traditional customs have been formed over a long period of time, so it is not desirable to define them as ‘old customs’ and uniformly ban them.” On Chinese social media, there was also a post saying, “Why is the government stopping me when I say I will spend money for my family?”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
