Jingshan Villas, where a big part of the city's expatriate population lives, will stage a grand Christmas party this evening for the residents and other foreigners living in the Shekou area.

Based on their experience with a Halloween party this year that drew more than 1,000 foreigners, the party's organizers expect to attract no fewer foreign guests along with their Chinese friends today.

One of the party's attractions will be a troupe of performers displaying various Chinese traditional acrobatic skills with a theme called Journey to the West, which is also the title of a famous Chinese classic novel.

"We want to combine Chinese and Western cultures during such a festival," said an organizer.

What the organizer said reflects exactly how Christmas is celebrated in this city, with hundreds of similar parties being thrown throughout Shenzhen this evening. As cultures merge with the world shrinking into a global village, the Chinese are embracing foreign cultures with unprecedented zest. The reverse is also true.

Although it never snows in this part of China, the windows of many stores have long been decorated with "snowflakes."

As the festival drew nearer, more big Christmas trees and Santa Claus-outfitted shop employees could be seen in the city's supermarkets. They caught the eyes of passers-by and drew in those who may not have planned to visit the shops.

According to an employee with Moi, a local department store, Santa Claus figures help create a festive atmosphere and boost sales.

(Southcn.com December 25, 2002)