Real China 1

Chinese New Year 2022

In the logistics industry, understanding the calendar of Chinese holidays is extremely important. The celebration of the most significant holiday- Chinese New Year, determines the world transport’s schedule.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (chunjie- 春节), will be held within one week- 1.02.2022. The celebration lasts 15 days, and seven days are free from work. It means that in the period 31.01- 6.02.2022, trade and business in China will slow down for a moment.

A crucial factor in celebrating the Spring Festival is family reunification. It is often the only time of the year when relatives working in different cities come home to spend time together. In late January/early February is the time of the largest annual mass migrations in the world. In this period, there are nearly 3 billion journeys by various means of transport. At this time of year, most companies, factories, and institutions are closed, which can significantly affect the timely transport of goods.

The lunisolar calendar determines the dates of Chinese holidays- feasts are movable. The Spring Festival falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

There is also a special symbolism associated with the Chinese New Year:

• Dishes: jiaozi (饺子) – dumplings, the name of which is related to change of the year, niangao (年糕) – rice flour dough symbolizing growing prosperity.
• Red is responsible for prosperity. In China, red is a color of happiness. During the celebration of the Spring Festival, houses and streets are decorated with red lanterns and the entrance doors with New Year’s paintings (年画).
• Gifts: the most common gift, especially to children, is a red envelope with a cash insert (红包). The sum and number of banknotes should be even, preferably 6 or 8, absolutely not 4. Gifts also should be neatly wrapped in red or gold paper.
• Bad luck may come from eating porridge for breakfast, using scissors or a needle, not cleaning the house before the celebration begins, breaking ceramic crockery, or doing laundry on the first day of the new year.

The tradition of giving gifts is a meaningful aspect of interpersonal contact. It strengthens ties and obliges reciprocity (striving for harmony in society). Building a lasting and continuous relationship with Chinese partners is undoubtedly crucial for fruitful cooperation. So, remember to send greetings or a gift to your contractors on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.