Holidays and Observances:

1: World AIDS Day. The United Nations, in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared Dec. 1 World AIDS Day.

1: Double Happiness Day, observed by Zhuang people in western Guangxi on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, and considered an auspicious day for weddings.

3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilize support for practical action at all levels, by, with and for persons with disabilities.

5: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.

10: Human Rights Day. All member states and interested organizations were invited by the UN General Assembly in 1950 to observe December 10 as Human Rights Day. The Day marks the anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

12: Commemoration Day of Xi'an Incident.

13: Commemoration Day of Nanjing Massacre.

18: International Migrant's Day. In 1997, Filipino and Asian migrant organizations began celebrating the 18th of December as the International Day of Solidarity with Migrants because it was on Dec. 18, 1990 that the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families (the convention came into force on Jul. 1, 2003 binding to all governments that have ratified it). In 2000 the UN General Assembly designated the date of each year as International Migrant's Day.

20: Anniversary of Macao Special Administrative Region

Harvest Festival observed by the Paiwan tribe of the Gaoshan ethnic group in Taiwan on a lucky day after the autumn harvest in the 10th lunar month. Each community follows its leader in worshipping Heaven, Earth, deities and ancestors followed by feasting and entertainment. Competitions such as races, tug-of-war, wrestling and archery are also held.

22: Winter Solstice, the earliest of the 24 seasonal division points falling on Dec. 21 or 22 on the Gregorian calendar. In ancient China, it was believed that as the days grow longer, young, positive things become stronger and stronger. Chinese families usually celebrate it by eating dumplings or eating a dish made of red beans and glutinous rice to drive away ghosts and evil spirits.

25: Christmas Day.

26: Birthday of Mao Zedong (1893-1976).