Comment on "Make Spring Festival an international holiday" (China Daily website, Jan 20)

Spring Festival is being celebrated by an increasing number of people both within and outside China. Since there is a large number of Chinese communities across the globe, the festival has attracted a lot of attention worldwide, especially the dragon/lion dance and the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers.

Some countries have already declared holidays for Spring Festival and more look likely to do so.

As China's economic power increases, its impact on the world is being felt with greater intensity. A holiday to share the culture of Chinese people can make a difference.

But it should be understood that China does not expect its festivals to be recognized and celebrated in other countries. Nor does it want them to get the official stamp of other countries, because celebrations and official recognition are all about good faith and mutual respect.

HsunTze, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 01/31/2011 page9)