President of Renmin University Ji Baocheng, a National People's Congress deputy, told reporters that Chinese people around the world value traditional festivals, including the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival and Qingming Festival, also known as the Festival of Pure Brightness.

He says Chinese people all over the world celebrate these festivals in similar ways, so these holidays would act to bring all Chinese people together.

The deputy believes the government should act now to preserve traditional festivals before they are forgotten.

China has only 10 days of public holidays a year, less than most other countries.

(CRI.com March 4, 2004)