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In need of a longer holiday

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-16 07:34

We need long holidays to help in the recovery of our country's sluggish economy, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Several members of the Guangzhou municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultation Conference recently suggested that Guangdong province should take the lead in extending the three-day May Day break to five days.

The May Day holidays, which used to last five days, were last year reduced to three across the country. It led to a huge decline in consumption during the period.

According to statistics, the break reduction greatly affected Guangdong's travel agencies, as well as industries like retailing and transportation.

Governments at all levels are trying to expand domestic consumption to shore up the economy, but we must first of all have a platform for consumers to stimulate spending.

It is imperative to resume the five-day May Day holiday amid the ongoing financial crisis, to attract more consumers and help the market grow.

(China Daily 02/16/2009 page4)