The chinese Website Elong.com recently launched an online survey seeking 100 reasons why some people are now celebrating Christmas in China. Hundreds of net-surfers posted their explanations online.

While the holiday still retains a largely religious significance in the West, Chinese merrymakers favor Christmas because it provides a reason for them to celebrate and make merry, according to the Elong survey.

In fact, most of the Chinese who are zealous about Christmas are young people who love the opportunity to binge more than the holiday itself.

Colorful decorations, Christmas trees and traditional red lanterns are put together to mark the occasion - and shrewd businessmen are taking the opportunity to profit.

A 26-year-old in Guangdong Province, who only gave his surname of Fang, dressed up yesterday morning for a romantic Christmas dinner with his girlfriend and planned to spend the night touring bars and shopping for presents.

Almost all restaurants, pubs and cafes were full of celebrating youth on Christmas Eve in Guangzhou City. Meanwhile, in major cities across the country, department stores and supermarkets offering special holiday discounts were crowded with customers.

A saleswoman surnamed Zhou working in a supermarket in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, said Christmas trees, small bells, decorative stockings and Santa Claus dolls were sold in large numbers recently.

In front of Lhasa Saikang Building, some foreigners took pictures with a Santa Claus, played by a staff member of the building, and wished each other a "Merry Christmas."

(eastday.com December 26, 2002)