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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Internet adds flavor to Spring Festival

Dr. Kang Changjiang, a Chinese man living in Sweden, observed the most memorable Spring Festival in more than 10 years thanks to the power of the Internet.


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Dr. Kang Changjiang, a Chinese man living in Sweden, observed the most memorable Spring Festival in more than 10 years thanks to the power of the Internet.

Kang sent festival greetings to his father in China via cameraslinked to the Internet on the eve of China's Spring Festival, traditionally the time for a big family reunion dinner.

"This is the first time in more than 10 years that I have wished my father a happy new year face to face," said Kang. China's Spring Festival, considered the start of the lunar New Year fell on Jan. 22 this year.

The cameras live-broadcast the family reunion dinners on each side: Kang's father, sister and other relatives in north China's Tianjin City and the Kangs in Sweden.

China's fast growing economy has triggered huge population flow as people seek job opportunities that may lie outside their home towns. Many have turned to the Internet to tide over this homesick period.

All portal websites have established special zones for the Spring Festival. Here people could order flowers and gifts, send electronic New Year's cards to relatives and friends or download short messages for mobile phones.

Telecommunications companies say around 10 billion short messages were sent during the seven-day Spring Festival Holiday (Jan. 22-28) this year.

Those seeking the novelties of the Spring Festival, a festival that has been observed annually in China for more than 4,000 years,can also turn to the Internet.

"I have started to feel at loose ends during the Spring Festival holidays. It amazed me to find so many original ideas on the Internet," said one netizen.

Some people are using this period to think and share their thoughts with others. One site, named BlogChina, caters particularly to this group of people. One popular work on the site during the Spring Festival was a report on the life of Chinese Farmers, written by a couple over three years.

Zhang Haibo, a Chinese sociologist, said the Internet has become more than a tool to get information for many Chinese people. It is gradually becoming a part of their lives, which was illustrated by the use of the Internet during the Spring Festival.

Chinese people generally choose to be inconspicuous and favor contemplation. Because of the Internet, they are embracing a more open and interactive life, said Zhang.


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