A small present with a big meaning

Shi Wei / For China Daily

The practice is so prevalent in Guangdong and its bordering Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions that you run the risk of being seen as rude if you don't have some hongbao to give as gifts during the Spring Festival.

"Children and the elderly who are given hongbao during the New Year are not only given gifts, but also the best wishes from their parents or children for the coming year," said Zeng Yingfeng, chairwoman of the Guangzhou Association of Folk Arts.

Zeng remembers her delight when she was a child and was given hongbao by her parents and senior relatives even though the hongbao contained less than 10 fen. A yuan ($0.16) has 100 fen.

The amount of cash contained is usually a token gesture, Zeng added.

Liu Xiaochun, a professor from the school of humanities with Guangzhou-based Sun Yatsen University, said giving hongbao to children during the New Year shows that adults are expressing their best hopes for the children's future.

"Many business bosses also give hongbao to their employees when they start work after the New Year, hoping their companies and staff members have a good start," Liu told China Daily.

"The hongbao may not contain much money, but it indicates the bosses', or the companies' care for their staff members," he said.

Liu said he did not think the traditional custom would be affected by the current anti-corruption campaign and relevant regulations and rules issued by the central government to ban Party and government officials from accepting hongbao during the New Year.

"Giving hongbao at the beginning of the Lunar New Year indicates best wishes for the future," he said.

"People will continue to give hongbao to children of friends and relatives this year."

Chen Fangcheng, a civil servant in Guangzhou, said she will continue to give hongbao to the children of her colleagues and friends, as she did in previous years.

Wu Yuyu contributed to this story.