With the downtown area of China's capital city decorated with smiling Santa Clauses and "Jingle Bells" resounding in many of the metropolis's shopping malls, the imprint of Christmas, traditionally a Western holiday, could be seen on this centuries-old city as well as other parts of the country.

The Chinese website Elong.com recently launched an online survey seeking 100 reasons why some Chinese people are now celebrating Christmas. Hundreds of Chinese 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 Chinese traditional red lanterns are put together to mark the occasion -- and shrewd businessmen are taking the opportunity to profit.

A 26-year-old who only gave his surname of Fang in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, dressed up Tuesday 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. 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, southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region, said Christmas trees of various sizes, small bells, decorative stockings and Santa Claus dolls were sold in large numbers recently.

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

Although the Lhasa "Santa Claus" sacrificed much leisure time, he was satisfied with the money he earned for playing the role.

An increasing number of Tibetan youth now celebrate Christmas in addition to the Tibetan New Year and Spring Festival, according to Gesang, who works for Lhasa Tax Bureau.

However, the holiday was not as popular several years ago as it is now. Guangzhou-based 31-year-old Mao Xiangnan said when she was attending college in Beijing, some of her trendy classmates always discussed whether to consider Christmas a special occasion. The only way to celebrate the holiday then was going to church and listening to hymns.

At present, people can more easily feel touches of the Western holiday, said Mao.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2002)