...y Geni, Tsieina Gwyl


...y Geni, Tsieina

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-Festivals. Lively celebrations.

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-A feast of colours...

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-..sounds and delicious foods...

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-..to celebrate

-the key moments of life.

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-Birth, death and marriage.

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-In this episode,

-we're celebrating birth.

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-The birth of a new year in China.

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-The Spring Festival sees the streets

-awash with colour and decorations.

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-But the heart of the Spring Festival

-is in the home...

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-..as people come together

-to celebrate family unity.

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-China itself and Chinese people

-all over the world...

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-..celebrate this significant event

-in their lives.

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-The birth of the New Year.

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-It's time to give thanks,

-to welcome a new period...

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-..and to prepare

-for a prosperous and happy future.

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-China's economic boom

-is developing at speed.

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-It is happening quicker

-in the cities.

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-Since the turn of the millennium...

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-..the capital's population

-has increased by eight million...

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-..to create the second-largest city

-in the world.

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-Beijing is an astounding city.

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-It's home to 20 million people...

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-..and an increasing number

-of shiny modern skyscrapers.

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-But it's not just the economy

-that's changing.

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-Society is too.

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-However, that doesn't mean that its

-customs must completely disappear.

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-Here in China,

-New Year celebrations...

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-..provide an opportunity to see

-culture moving with the times.

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-It's a striking contrast

-between the old and the new.

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-Chinese society and unique customs

-have gradually developed...

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-..over thousands of years.

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-But over the past

-quarter of a century...

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-..life in Beijing now resembles life

-in any other modern city.

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-Personally, I think it's sad

-that shiny skyscrapers...

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-..that are almost clinical...

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-..are replacing old communities.

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-But around some street corners...

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-..you'll find

-the original heart of the city...

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-..such as this beautiful building,

-for example.

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-It was once

-part of the Emperor's palace.

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-It's the only

-original building left.

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-Although Beijing

-has been transformed...

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-..many of society's old customs

-have survived.

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-The Chinese calendar, for example...

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-..which follows the moon's cycle

-as well as the sun's.

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-Every year

-begins on the second new moon...

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-..following

-the shortest day of the year.

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-The 12 zodiac signs...

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-..represent the Chinese calendar's

-12-year cycle.

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-This is the Year of the Horse.

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-Reminders are everywhere!

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-The boom

-is changing the face of China.

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-Chinese culture is shifting towards

-the patterns of global consumerism.

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-There's less room

-for China's old ways...

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-..amid all the steel and concrete.

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-However,

-or perhaps because of that...

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-..celebrating the New Year

-is an important way...

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-..of keeping contact

-with the country's heritage.

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-I'll spend time with two

-modern families in Beijing...

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-..to discover why this celebration

-has remained so strong.

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-One family's way of life

-has been transformed...

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-..after they established

-a successful business...

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-..while the other family

-represent the lives...

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-..of the new professional class...

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-..which retains the customs

-of this special festival.

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-It's 24 hours before

-the Chinese New Year's Eve...

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-..and business is booming.

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-Jian Jun and Dou Jing

-are a married couple in their 30s.

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-They've invited their family

-to spend the New Year at their home.

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-I met them while they were busy

-with their preparations.

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-We're used to buying a decorative

-tree to celebrate Christmas.

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-Here, they pick a citrus tree...

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-..with golden fruit

-symbolizing prosperity and money.

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-Thank you. Xiexie.

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-But these fruits are to decorate

-the home and shouldn't be eaten!

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-They aren't ripe yet. They're sour.

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-They smell so sweet.

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-The flower markets are a hive

-of activity at this time of year...

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-..because much of the produce

-on sale has its own significance.

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-Fruit blossom is a sign

-of fertility following winter.

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-Orchids are the flowers of spring.

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-I love gardening.

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-If there were markets like this

-back home, I'd spend a fortune.

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-But what I really want to know is...

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-..how on earth do they

-get these plants and flowers...

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-..to look so perfect

-in sub-zero temperatures?

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-Next, they choose paper decorations

-to hang around the home.

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-In the past,

-paper cutting skills were common.

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-Each family would make symbols

-to attract good fortune.

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-But like the majority of women

-in Beijing nowadays...

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-..Dou Jing will focus

-on making a New Year's Eve feast.

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-For Jian Jun,

-the holiday will be a break...

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-..from the construction industry.

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-He's conscious that not everyone

-will be as fortunate.

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-It's a tough situation for those

-people who have to keep working.

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-After all, everybody

-should have time off for New Year.

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-Those who have to work through

-this time of rest...

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-..feel sad that they won't be able

-to spend time with their families.

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-The family's happiness

-is very important here.

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-In China, they say that eating well

-is a way of ensuring that.

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-Feasting is an integral part

-of the Spring Festival.

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-A traditional market is the best

-place to see all the delicacies.

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-Vegetables and fresh meat...

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-..including this minced pork, which

-is prepared in the traditional way.

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-Every other part of the pig

-is for sale too.

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-Even in times of plenty,

-almost nothing is wasted.

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-The country has been through

-hard times in its history.

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-All kinds of ingredients

-were used to make meals.

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-As a result, an interesting

-culinary tradition developed...

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-..from the wide range

-of food available.

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-But this is the kind of shop...

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-..where Beijing's wealthy families

-like to spend their money.

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-Wang Lu and her husband,

-Zhao Shi Jie, have done well...

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-..from high-end clothing exports.

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-Their son, Zhao Wei Xuan,

-is home from boarding school.

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-Their standard of living reflects

-that of Beijing's nouveau riche.

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-I'd be comfortable shopping here

-without an interpreter.

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-There are

-international brands here...

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-..and English signs everywhere.

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-I might as well be

-in any shop in Britain.

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-There are as many, if not more,

-Western products on the shelves.

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-With many items

-individually wrapped in plastic...

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-..there's no sign

-of the past's frugal times.

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-Wang Lu has seen big changes

-in the way she celebrates New Year.

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-I like the Spring Festival.

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-When I was small, we weren't very

-wealthy but new clothes were bought.

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-We ate nicer food than normal.

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-So, from a young age,

-I really liked this holiday.

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-I remember lanterns because we lived

-around a courtyard, or in hutongs.

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-People live in apartments now

-and lanterns are rare.

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-Before, we would share food with

-our neighbours or drop in to chat.

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-That doesn't happen

-in modern buildings.

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-You are just celebrating

-with your own family.

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-Preparations obviously bring back

-happy memories of past celebrations.

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-People have had time

-to consider how life has changed.

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-Buying fireworks

-brings back memories for Shi Jie.

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-When I was young, we had

-firecrackers that came on a string.

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-In Beijing, there's a type of large

-firecracker that lasts a long time.

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-You'd be reluctant to set

-one firecracker off at a time...

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-..so you separated them.

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-The sound of firecrackers has

-welcomed the New Year for centuries.

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-They've also warded off

-evil spirits.

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-These days, there are all kinds

-of rockets and fireworks...

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-..to attract good fortune...

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-..after the spirits are banished.

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-This is called Fortune Of Plenty,

-this is Happiness For The Family....

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-..this is Fertility.

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-It's an expensive way

-of seeing in the New Year.

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-A few of the boxes cost more than

-a worker would earn in a month...

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-..in some parts of China.

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-We couldn't afford

-many firecrackers.

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-Separating them

-meant they lasted longer.

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-I still like firecrackers.

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-The sound of firecrackers sees off

-the old year and welcomes the new.

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-But in the country

-where fireworks were invented...

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-..there are restrictions

-on their use nowadays.

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-The explosive arrival

-of the New Year...

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-..is in danger of losing

-some of its spark.

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-The speed of change in China

-is hard to comprehend.

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-One way of gauging

-how life has changed...

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-..is by seeing all the travel

-that happens at this time of year.

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-China's young people

-have moved to the cities.

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-During the festival, when families

-come together to celebrate...

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-..millions travel home

-to see their parents.

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-As the Chinese New Year

-approaches...

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-..we see, according to some...

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-..the biggest mass migration

-in the world.

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-During the days

-leading up to the New Year...

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-..the number of people

-using this train station...

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-..swells to 200,000 travellers

-each day.

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-Although the authorities lay on

-hundreds of additional trains...

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-..those tickets are like gold dust.

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-Not everyone will get one...

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-..but for those

-who are actually on the train...

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-..they may have to stand

-for up to 30 hours.

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-And that's only one train station.

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-Across the length and breadth

-of China, they estimate...

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-..more than 250m

-train journeys are made...

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-..and 3.5 billion passenger trips.

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-Wang Lu, Shi Jie and Wei Xuan

-are back in their luxury apartment.

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-During the cold

-and dry winter months...

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-..it's always summertime

-in the artificial flower beds...

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-..a stone's throw

-from Beijing's business centre.

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-But there's nothing false...

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-..about their commitment

-to their New Year celebrations.

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-Many of their business associates

-have travelled far and wide...

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-..to be with their relatives.

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-That makes it easier

-for those who are left.

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-Before the 20th day

-of the lunar month...

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-..Beijing

-was full of traffic jams.

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-Now the traffic flows freely. Why?

-Because migrant workers have left.

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-They've gone home to their families

-for the biggest Chinese celebration.

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-But it's difficult getting train

-tickets during the Spring Festival.

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-This festival is close to

-our hearts, it's at our root...

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-..and it's not going to change,

-not at all.

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-While Wang Lu is confident

-the festival won't change...

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-..there's no doubt

-that China is rapidly modernizing.

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-That became obvious

-during the 2008 Olympic Games.

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-By building

-the famous Bird's Nest stadium....

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-..China showed the world it was

-a creative and ambitious country...

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-..that plays a prominent role

-in modern global culture.

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-But during the Spring Festival...

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-..ancient traditions

-come to the fore.

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-In Wang Lu

-and Shi Jie's apartment...

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-..they're cleaning the house

-to attract good fortune.

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-The family's maid

-has gone home over the holidays...

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-..but even if she were here, Lu and

-Shi Jie would still get stuck in...

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-..and help her clean.

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-We say,

-out with the old, in with the new.

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-It's like clearing away the bad luck

-from the previous year...

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-..so that you can meet

-a new year fully refreshed.

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-Getting rid of the bad luck

-from the Year of the Snake...

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-..to welcome the Year of the Horse.

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-That's the general idea, at least.

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-After finishing their shop,

-Jian Jung and Dou Jing come home...

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-..to prepare

-for the night's celebrations.

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-But their three-year-old son Run Run

-has other plans.

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-China's family life

-is nothing like the image...

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-..of the draconian life they led...

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-..under Mao Tse-tung's regime

-50 years ago.

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-There's more freedom to have fun.

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-But there's still a strong emphasis

-on family and social responsibility.

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-Festivals in China

-aren't an excuse to relax.

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-Before the arrival of New Year...

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-..it's imperative

-that families clean their homes...

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-..to get rid any bad luck.

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-On New Year's Eve, they put away

-the cleaning equipment...

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-..to ensure

-the good luck isn't swept away.

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-Run Run doesn't yet realize

-that by joining in the cleaning...

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-..he's following a tradition

-that has lasted centuries.

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-But in modern China,

-men help with the chores too!

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-Meanwhile,

-Jian Jun's family arrives...

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-..in time to lend a helping hand.

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-With the red decorations,

-the flowers and citrus tree...

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-..the modern apartment takes on

-a more traditional Chinese look.

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-Fun and games follow

-when presents are exchanged.

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-In the old days,

-coins were threaded on red string.

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-That was the present given

-to younger members of the family.

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-Nowadays, paper money

-is sealed in a red envelope.

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-I wish everyone good fortune.

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-May treasures fill the home.

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-This is a New Year's custom...

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-..when they give

-younger family members a cash gift.

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-Good luck messages

-are written on the envelopes...

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-..wishing them good health

-and good fortune.

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-I think it's a wonderful custom.

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-We hang the envelopes

-on the citrus tree for good luck.

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-The word for orange has the same

-sound as the word for luck...

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-..so next year

-our wishes will come true.

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-The significance of colours plays

-a prominent part in festivities.

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-I'm now taking part

-in another interesting custom...

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-..which happens across China

-at this time of year.

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-I'm going to buy red underwear.

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-You've obviously noticed

-that red is a significant colour...

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-..for the Chinese.

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-It signifies power,

-wealth and good luck.

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-Run Run's grandfather

-celebrates his birthday...

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-..during the Year of the Horse...

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-..so we're

-going to buy him red pants.

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-When the Year of the Horse arrives,

-evil spirits will target people...

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-..born under

-the sign of the horse...

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-..so one in every 12 of China's

-vast population is in trouble!

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-The solution

-is to wear big red pants...

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-..a vest or any red item of clothing

-that's in contact with the skin.

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-Jian Jung and his brother

-have bought a vest and long johns...

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-..to ensure their father is safe

-throughout the Year of the Horse.

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-Everyone I've met...

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-..insists that they don't

-take it seriously, but who knows?

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-I should say I believe, in any case,

-we're already accustomed to it.

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-Whoever is in the year of their

-zodiac, you give them a red belt...

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-..red underwear

-or red socks as a gift.

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-That way, you always

-feel reassured in your heart.

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-Whatever people choose to wear

-for New Year...

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-..the main focus on New Year's Eve

-is the family feast.

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-Lu and Shi Jie's family

-go to dine at a posh restaurant.

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-Dining out is popular among those...

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-..who have prospered

-from the economic boom.

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-In a private dining room, there are

-many toasts and clinking of glasses.

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-To mark the end

-of one period in their lives...

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-..and the beginning of another.

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-With a busy business to maintain...

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-..and with their sons away

-at boarding school...

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-..it's rare that three generations

-of the same family get together.

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-Wang Lu's parents

-are obviously enjoying themselves.

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-We look forward to it.

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-A couple of old people like us look

-forward to this annual reunion.

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-All our children are with us

-to celebrate the New Year...

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-..and we're in good health,

-so they're happy too.

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-At Jian Jun and Dou Jing's house,

-the cooking's almost over.

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-Plate after plate

-of delicious treats.

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-The food prepared for the Spring

-Festival is down to personal taste.

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-Menus vary from home to home.

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-These are apples.

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-These are apples covered in sugar.

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-I know I'll enjoy eating these.

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-A fish course

-must be included in the feast.

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-Because it's lucky,

-we have fish every New Year's Eve.

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-The word for fish sounds similar

-to the word for abundance...

0:21:590:22:03

-..so it means we will

-want for nothing next year.

0:22:030:22:06

-With an emphasis on abundance...

0:22:070:22:09

-..they prepare a wok full of

-the biggest prawns I've ever seen.

0:22:090:22:14

-While the food's being prepared...

0:22:140:22:17

-..Jian Jun relaxes.

0:22:170:22:19

-This is a rare break from his job

-in the construction industry.

0:22:200:22:24

-Since Dou Jing

-also works as a teacher...

0:22:250:22:27

-..she seizes the opportunity

-to pull her husband's leg...

0:22:270:22:31

-..by explaining why men don't cook.

0:22:320:22:34

-Men are busy working

-throughout the year, making money.

0:22:360:22:41

-So when celebrating

-the New Year...

0:22:410:22:44

-..it's traditional to look after

-the men of the house...

0:22:440:22:48

-..after all that physical labour!

0:22:480:22:51

-Do you think I explained it OK,

-darling husband?

0:22:510:22:54

-Why am I feeding

-this idle Beijinger?

0:22:540:22:59

-No, you should say

-this family is an exception!

0:23:010:23:04

-So you're not to do any housework?

-Come and take these to the table!

0:23:040:23:09

-After all the preparation, the

-celebrations are about to begin...

0:23:160:23:21

-..as the family

-gathers around the table.

0:23:220:23:26

-It's time for Jian Jun's father,

-the head of the family...

0:23:260:23:30

-..to say a few words.

0:23:300:23:32

-The Spring Festival is an old

-custom that involves the family...

0:23:330:23:37

-..so family ties

-are what count tonight.

0:23:380:23:43

-I'm grateful that our two sons

-and daughters-in-law...

0:23:440:23:47

-..show such respect

-to their parents.

0:23:480:23:50

-I'd like to raise a toast now.

0:23:500:23:53

-I'm happy

-we're all together tonight.

0:23:530:23:57

-I wish the best of health

-and happiness to everyone.

0:23:580:24:01

-I hope the Year of the Horse

-will bring prosperity to you all.

0:24:010:24:06

-Cheers!

0:24:060:24:09

-That's the focus

-of this special festival.

0:24:160:24:19

-Acknowledging

-the importance of family...

0:24:190:24:22

-..and sharing hopes for the future.

0:24:220:24:25

-As I enjoy the warm welcome

-and share an unforgettable feast...

0:24:250:24:29

-..I feel very lucky to be part

-of a celebration that's vital...

0:24:290:24:33

-..to the Chinese way of life.

0:24:340:24:36

-Xiexie for the welcome.

0:24:360:24:38

-In Welsh, we say iechyd da.

0:24:390:24:41

-Iechyd da.

0:24:420:24:44

-Iechyd da.

0:24:450:24:47

-Xiexie.

-Thank you very much for the welcome.

0:24:500:24:53

-.

0:24:540:24:54

-Subtitles

0:24:550:24:55

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:24:550:24:57

-New Year's Eve is the first night

-of the Spring Festival in China.

0:24:590:25:03

-Across the country,

-people have made every effort...

0:25:040:25:07

-..to be with their families

-for the New Year.

0:25:070:25:12

-It's a custom

-that's more than 3,000 years old.

0:25:120:25:15

-This year, on the eve

-of the Year of the Horse...

0:25:160:25:19

-..families are celebrating.

0:25:190:25:21

-The nouveau riche

-in posh restaurants...

0:25:210:25:24

-..while the majority

-follow a more traditional way...

0:25:250:25:28

-..of sharing food at home.

0:25:290:25:31

-After the main course,

-it's time to exchange gifts.

0:25:330:25:38

-At Jian Jun and Dou Jing's home...

0:25:380:25:40

-..the grandfather, who was born

-under the sign of the horse...

0:25:400:25:45

-..is given lucky underwear.

0:25:450:25:47

-Afterwards, it's Run Run's turn...

0:25:470:25:50

-..to receive the traditional

-red envelopes containing money.

0:25:500:25:54

-Everyone's looking forward

-to a grateful kiss!

0:25:540:25:58

-Back at the restaurant,

-they follow the same ritual...

0:26:120:26:16

-..but they're late

-preparing the red envelopes.

0:26:170:26:20

-Though the order of celebration

-is different here...

0:26:210:26:25

-..the grandchildren

-politely wait until they get home...

0:26:250:26:29

-..to open the envelopes.

0:26:290:26:31

-Wang Lu and Shi Jie's family

-see each other fairly regularly.

0:26:340:26:38

-But for an increasing number

-of China's families...

0:26:390:26:42

-..the New Year is the only

-opportunity to get together.

0:26:420:26:45

-That highlights

-the importance of the night.

0:26:460:26:49

-Nowadays, many people from rural

-areas travel to the city to work.

0:26:500:26:56

-They make every effort to go home.

0:26:560:27:00

-No matter what,

-they return home for a full month.

0:27:000:27:05

-So everyone, family and friends,

-are happy during our annual reunion.

0:27:050:27:15

-After the feast comes more cooking

-in the run-up to midnight.

0:27:170:27:22

-Another traditional custom

-is the preparation of dumplings.

0:27:220:27:26

-In this part of northern China,

-they prepare jiaozi.

0:27:270:27:30

-Right, I get it.

0:27:310:27:33

-It's hard enough

-just pronouncing the name...

0:27:340:27:37

-..but filling

-the pastry with meat and veg...

0:27:370:27:40

-..is even more difficult.

0:27:400:27:43

-OK, OK.

0:27:440:27:46

-Sorry.

0:27:460:27:47

-I'm not the only one

-making a hash of things.

0:27:480:27:51

-Back in

-Wang Lu's parents' house....

0:27:520:27:56

-..her father isn't impressed

-by the women's technique.

0:27:560:28:00

-Letting him do it himself

-is probably the best solution!

0:28:060:28:10

-The word jiaozi is similar

-to the word for paper money.

0:28:130:28:17

-Serving them

-is believed to bring prosperity.

0:28:170:28:20

-There's an extra boost

-to the bank account...

0:28:200:28:24

-..since coins

-are hidden in some of them!

0:28:240:28:27

-After an unsuccessful attempt

-at making jiaozi with Dou Jing...

0:28:300:28:34

-..I went to sample

-those made by Wang Lu's parents.

0:28:340:28:38

-I'm waiting patiently for the feast.

0:28:410:28:43

-Very nice!

0:28:480:28:50

-Wang Lu's father...

0:28:510:28:53

-..is obviously a master.

0:28:530:28:55

-As I tuck into

-the second meal of the night...

0:28:550:28:58

-..I had hoped I'd mastered

-the art of using chopsticks.

0:28:590:29:03

-But obviously I hadn't!

0:29:030:29:05

-Is it that obvious? Xiexie.

0:29:070:29:10

-With midnight approaching, families

-prepare to welcome the New Year.

0:29:170:29:21

-Millions of families will sit

-in front of the television...

0:29:240:29:28

-..while millions of others, like

-Dou Jing, will prepare fireworks...

0:29:290:29:33

-..to celebrate the arrival

-of the Year of the Horse.

0:29:330:29:37

-What a welcome!

0:29:530:29:55

-The suburban streets are alight.

0:29:560:29:58

-The sound of the fireworks squeal

-between the high-rise apartments.

0:29:590:30:04

-This is incredible.

0:30:040:30:06

-I've never seen or heard fireworks

-like these before.

0:30:060:30:10

-The atmosphere is electric

-and the sound is deafening!

0:30:100:30:15

-As for the smoke, I don't know

-how long that'll take to clear.

0:30:150:30:19

-As everyone has fun in the light

-of the fireworks and sparklers...

0:30:210:30:26

-..it's hard to believe there are

-fewer fireworks these days.

0:30:270:30:30

-Beijing's authorities have urged

-people not to go overboard...

0:30:310:30:35

-..in order

-to protect the environment.

0:30:350:30:37

-The smoke and the gases

-linger in the air for days.

0:30:400:30:44

-For some years prior to 2005...

0:30:440:30:46

-..there was

-a complete ban on fireworks.

0:30:470:30:50

-The Spring Festival wasn't the same

-when the firework ban was in force.

0:30:520:30:57

-To some extent, I agree that

-fireworks cause air pollution.

0:30:580:31:04

-So now,

-because of the restriction...

0:31:040:31:07

-..we must let off only enough to add

-to the atmosphere of the festival.

0:31:070:31:14

-If this is a relatively quiet

-fireworks display...

0:31:150:31:19

-..what was it like

-before the restriction?

0:31:190:31:22

-Overnight, more than 1,500

-metric tonnes of smoky ashes...

0:31:250:31:30

-..have landed on Beijing's streets.

0:31:300:31:33

-Before the sun rises, 39,000 workers

-begin the thankless task...

0:31:330:31:38

-..of clearing up the debris.

0:31:380:31:40

-They're tired

-before they've even started!

0:31:410:31:44

-Far from the bustling streets

-is a quiet celebration...

0:31:470:31:51

-..in one of the city's hospitals.

0:31:510:31:54

-On the first day

-of the Spring Festival...

0:31:540:31:57

-..the festival of new life,

-parents dote on their babies...

0:31:570:32:00

-..who have been born in the early

-hours of the Year of the Horse.

0:32:010:32:05

-One baby is attracting

-more attention than the others.

0:32:080:32:11

-And here she is,

-the first baby of the year...

0:32:120:32:15

-..born at this hospital.

0:32:160:32:18

-Isn't she beautiful?

0:32:180:32:20

-For the rest of her life, she'll

-be associated with the horse sign.

0:32:200:32:25

-As it happens, both parents were

-born in the Year of the Horse too.

0:32:250:32:29

-With China changing

-at such a pace...

0:32:300:32:33

-..I wonder what kind of New Year's

-celebrations she'll celebrate...

0:32:340:32:38

-..when she's older?

0:32:380:32:40

-Congratulations. She's beautiful.

0:32:400:32:43

-It's possible

-some things won't change...

0:32:470:32:50

-..because visiting Beijing's temples

-on the first day of New Year...

0:32:500:32:54

-..is still a popular ritual.

0:32:540:32:57

-Here, they flock

-to the wonderful Lama Temple...

0:33:030:33:07

-..to ask for Buddha's blessing.

0:33:080:33:10

-There are 100,000 here today.

0:33:120:33:14

-The place is full of people walking

-from one altar to the other...

0:33:150:33:19

-..with their hands together

-in prayer.

0:33:190:33:22

-This ritual has surprised me because

-we're in a Communist country...

0:33:220:33:27

-..where people have lived

-under a secular regime.

0:33:270:33:30

-But it's obvious that

-ancient traditions and customs...

0:33:310:33:35

-..are still as strong today.

0:33:350:33:37

-At the creation of the People's

-Republic of China is 1949...

0:33:370:33:43

-..religion was banned

-and many temples destroyed.

0:33:430:33:48

-In 1980, restrictions were relaxed.

0:33:490:33:52

-However, as a result of the ban...

0:33:520:33:55

-..only a quarter

-of China's population...

0:33:550:33:57

-..worship the five

-officially-recognized religions.

0:33:580:34:02

-Buddhism is by far

-the most popular religion...

0:34:060:34:09

-..especially among young

-urban professionals.

0:34:090:34:14

-Growing up, I was influenced

-by elder family members.

0:34:170:34:20

-Our house had a shrine where we'd

-burn incense and pray to Buddha.

0:34:210:34:26

-When I was young,

-after I started primary school...

0:34:270:34:31

-..I went to the Lama Temple to burn

-incense with my elder relatives.

0:34:310:34:37

-As a Buddhist,

-I believe we are immortal.

0:34:440:34:50

-Our souls are immortal. The body

-changes but the soul lives on.

0:34:500:34:59

-A person's soul doesn't die...

0:34:590:35:04

-..unlike the body,

-which only lasts for this lifetime.

0:35:040:35:08

-Today, there's a sense

-that China's soul...

0:35:090:35:13

-..is something that will continue...

0:35:130:35:16

-..although China's form

-is changing.

0:35:170:35:19

-But new wealth

-creates higher expectations...

0:35:200:35:25

-..which could possibly undermine

-the values of family life in China.

0:35:250:35:30

-.

0:35:300:35:30

-Subtitles

0:35:330:35:33

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:35:330:35:35

-Chinese New Year's Day is the first

-of three days of official holidays.

0:35:400:35:45

-Most of the country's offices

-and businesses are closed.

0:35:450:35:49

-It's an ideal time for traditional

-fairs that last for two weeks.

0:35:490:35:54

-It's also an opportunity

-to spend time with friends...

0:35:540:35:58

-..and enjoy one of the festival's

-activities - mah-jong.

0:35:580:36:02

-The authorities banned the game for

-a while but it's popular once again.

0:36:020:36:07

-Mah-jong is similar...

0:36:070:36:10

-..to the card game Rummy.

0:36:110:36:15

-You must have a run of three numbers

-or three patterns.

0:36:150:36:19

-I have to put this one down.

0:36:200:36:23

-It's a good way

-of getting to know people.

0:36:350:36:38

-They say it's possible to scrutinize

-a person's character by playing.

0:36:380:36:44

-Businessmen and potential in-laws

-use the game before offering work...

0:36:440:36:48

-..or accepting a person

-into the family!

0:36:490:36:52

-Thank you. Xiexie.

0:37:020:37:04

-More traditional entertainment next

-in one of the Spring Festival fairs.

0:37:090:37:14

-This is called

-the Earth Temple Fair...

0:37:140:37:18

-..which is full of crafts,

-food and old-fashioned stalls.

0:37:180:37:22

-Each year

-during the Spring Festival...

0:37:260:37:29

-..the Temple Fair is full of stalls.

0:37:290:37:33

-There are culinary specialities...

0:37:340:37:38

-..and folk customs

-from all parts of China.

0:37:380:37:43

-It's like getting the opportunity

-to travel through the whole country.

0:37:430:37:48

-For Jian Jun and Dou Jing...

0:37:500:37:52

-..it's a chance to introduce Run Run

-to the fun they had as children...

0:37:520:37:57

-..before life took over.

0:37:570:37:59

-There are strange things to see...

0:38:020:38:04

-..such as the art of sculpting

-animals from hot sugar...

0:38:050:38:09

-..and the ancient folk show of

-Layang Pian, where the audience...

0:38:100:38:14

-..peeks into a large box

-full of theatrical pictures...

0:38:140:38:18

-..while a narrator

-relates the story.

0:38:190:38:22

-This was China's

-medieval form of television!

0:38:220:38:26

-Children like to know what life

-was like when we were young...

0:38:300:38:33

-..or when their grandparents

-were young.

0:38:330:38:37

-They ask such questions as...

0:38:380:38:40

-.."What was it like?

-Did you have iPads?"

0:38:400:38:44

-It's important to educate them and

-help them appreciate their heritage.

0:38:440:38:51

-A different kind of fair has drawn

-Wang Lu, Shi Jie and Wei Xuan.

0:38:540:38:58

-Beijing's World Fair...

0:38:580:39:00

-..is a mixture of Disneyland

-and Barry Island funfair!

0:39:010:39:05

-It feels as if

-the entire city's here today.

0:39:060:39:09

-There's no room to turn!

0:39:090:39:11

-Some worry about

-the durability of the economy...

0:39:170:39:20

-..and its influence

-on global culture...

0:39:200:39:23

-..but when you come here,

-to this World Fair...

0:39:230:39:26

-..you realize

-that external influences...

0:39:260:39:29

-..are affecting the lives

-of people here in Beijing.

0:39:290:39:33

-There's no harm in a little fun

-at the fair - in Barry or Beijing.

0:39:330:39:37

-Shi Jie is confident

-that China's unique customs...

0:39:380:39:43

-..can co-exist

-with international influences.

0:39:430:39:46

-The mix of Chinese

-and Western cultures...

0:39:480:39:51

-..will still be around

-a century from now.

0:39:510:39:55

-Being brought up in Chinese homes...

0:39:550:39:57

-..they will still be immersed

-in the country's culture.

0:39:580:40:01

-Back home,

-there's something familiar...

0:40:030:40:06

-..about the way the family

-spends the rest of the afternoon.

0:40:060:40:11

-Wei Xuan is on his computer...

0:40:110:40:13

-..contacting friends.

0:40:130:40:16

-Shi Jie is keeping an eye

-on the business...

0:40:160:40:19

-..and Wang Lu is taking it easy.

0:40:210:40:23

-The quiet time is a chance

-to consider the differences...

0:40:240:40:29

-..between the Chinese outlook and

-the Western outlook on the world.

0:40:290:40:34

-A few days ago, I watched

-Phantom Of The Opera again...

0:40:340:40:41

-..and a few months ago, I saw the

-latest version of Les Miserables.

0:40:410:40:48

-Whatever form these Western musicals

-take, the central theme is love.

0:40:480:40:54

-This aspect is probably better

-than the way we'd express it.

0:40:540:40:58

-I mean, in the past, we focused

-on the form rather than the soul.

0:41:020:41:10

-As I chatted with Wang Lu, she

-mentioned China's formality again...

0:41:110:41:16

-..and how it has led

-her husband and herself...

0:41:170:41:20

-..to consider sending their son

-overseas to broaden his horizons.

0:41:210:41:25

-These days in China,

-we have exam-oriented education.

0:41:260:41:32

-It's good

-because it builds knowledge...

0:41:320:41:39

-..but the system doesn't place

-enough emphasis on creativity.

0:41:390:41:43

-Neither does it allow children to

-develop vital skills for themselves.

0:41:430:41:48

-The type of skills they'll need

-as they take their place in society.

0:41:480:41:54

-So, I want my son to study in China

-until GCSE level...

0:41:540:41:58

-..and then I want him

-to be educated abroad.

0:41:580:42:02

-Shi Jie also sees the advantages

-of being educated abroad.

0:42:020:42:06

-But he realizes

-that it could mean...

0:42:060:42:09

-..that Wei Xuan creates a future

-for himself outside China.

0:42:090:42:14

-I didn't go overseas

-when I was young...

0:42:140:42:17

-..but I want my children

-to have that opportunity.

0:42:180:42:23

-If my son prefers life abroad,

-then he's free to choose his future.

0:42:230:42:29

-It's an interesting subject.

0:42:310:42:33

-The Chinese take great pride

-in their close families...

0:42:330:42:37

-..yet parents today urge their

-children to leave the country...

0:42:380:42:42

-..for a better education.

0:42:420:42:44

-They sacrifice the chance

-to be with their children...

0:42:440:42:47

-..in order to secure

-a more prosperous future for them.

0:42:480:42:51

-But the families I've met

-are confident...

0:42:520:42:54

-..that this situation

-won't destroy their family unit.

0:42:550:42:59

-After a day

-of strange experiences...

0:43:030:43:06

-..Run Run is exhausted.

0:43:060:43:08

-For his parents, the visit to the

-fair has prompted a discussion...

0:43:080:43:12

-..about their society's

-heritage and values.

0:43:130:43:16

-There's no doubt

-about what's most important.

0:43:160:43:19

-Family ties are most important.

0:43:200:43:22

-Honouring parents

-is integral to that.

0:43:220:43:25

-The younger generation

-must respect their elders.

0:43:250:43:29

-This is the most important aspect...

0:43:290:43:32

-..that we must pass down

-to our children.

0:43:320:43:35

-Dou Jing agrees...

0:43:360:43:39

-..but interesting differences arise

-when discussing the future...

0:43:400:43:45

-..and Run Run's place in the world.

0:43:450:43:48

-I have high expectations for my son.

0:43:490:43:52

-Our hope is that he will be

-educated in China until he's 16...

0:43:530:43:58

-..and then be educated

-at a good school in America...

0:43:580:44:01

-..before attending

-one of its best universities.

0:44:010:44:04

-Our biggest hope is that

-his academic achievements...

0:44:050:44:09

-..will shape his character...

0:44:100:44:12

-..and his future.

0:44:120:44:15

-That's your hope, not mine!

0:44:180:44:21

-It's more important to me

-that my son is healthy and happy.

0:44:270:44:32

-Whatever a person studies

-and whatever his achievements...

0:44:320:44:36

-..I believe there's a place

-for everybody in society.

0:44:360:44:41

-If he doesn't do well at school,

-there's a place out there for him.

0:44:410:44:47

-It's not the same for boys.

0:44:490:44:51

-They have responsibilities

-to consider.

0:44:510:44:53

-A good education is essential.

0:44:530:44:55

-Only then will he be able to face

-the responsibilities of the future.

0:44:550:45:01

-I think he should enjoy

-whatever he chooses to do.

0:45:020:45:09

-He has to be happy

-and enjoy what he does...

0:45:100:45:14

-..because it'll be easier for him

-to do well and reach his potential.

0:45:140:45:19

-Despite their differences...

0:45:190:45:23

-..this loving family agrees...

0:45:230:45:26

-..that the Spring Festival

-family celebration will continue...

0:45:260:45:30

-..and perhaps

-its importance will grow...

0:45:310:45:33

-..as changes in business

-and commerce steam ahead.

0:45:330:45:37

-Everyone is so busy all the time,

-they look forward to holidays.

0:45:400:45:46

-But here in China, we choose

-to go home for the Spring Festival.

0:45:460:45:50

-What's important, no matter what

-culture he'll choose in future...

0:45:510:45:56

-..is that he comes home

-for this symbolic time.

0:45:560:46:03

-When it's time to celebrate the New

-Year, whether you're rich or poor...

0:46:030:46:08

-..everyone will hopefully choose to

-go home to be with their families.

0:46:080:46:14

-As China's wealth increases and

-international influences pour in...

0:46:140:46:20

-..and with the country's young

-eager to travel the world...

0:46:200:46:24

-..I can't help but wonder...

0:46:240:46:26

-..what will happen to China's

-strong and proud family values...

0:46:260:46:31

-..in years to come?

0:46:310:46:33

-After being here and seeing

-how this incredible festival...

0:46:330:46:37

-..brings families together...

0:46:370:46:40

-..I believe, and I'm confident...

0:46:400:46:42

-..that the family bond...

0:46:420:46:45

-..is strong enough

-to withstand the changes.

0:46:450:46:49

-Perhaps elements of it will change

-but its essence will last.

0:46:490:46:53

-The love of family.

0:46:530:46:55

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:47:380:47:40

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0:47:400:47:41

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