Hope for reforms

Nevertheless, He Youlin doesn't think such divisive words are wise.

"Our festivals weigh much on customs and dining. But when livelihoods have greatly improved, people pursue spiritual needs. Western festivals can be amusing and creative, which meets young people's needs," He said.

Besides, Chinese festivals are usually all on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is harder to keep track of, which also contributes to their popularity decline, he noted.

The trend of traditional Chinese festivals losing popularity won't reverse unless we make changes, he suggested.

"In my memory, the public organs, factories, companies or communities would all decorate their gates before when the festivals like Middle-Autumn Day, the National Day came. But now, many of them are silent," He said, adding that the festivals have simply become holidays for traveling.

He advises the government to readjust and prolong the holidays for the major festivals holidays, and require various work units to create a festive atmosphere by flying national flags and holding military parades every five years.

Ideology and patriotism have become heated topics in recent years. In January 2015, China's former Education Minister Yuan Guiren said that Chinese universities should maintain "political integrity" and never "let textbooks promoting Western values appear in our classes."

President Xi Jinpinghas warned several times about the ideological penetration of Western forces. In a speech made in 2013, Xi described ideological work as "extremely important." In a speech made at a national Party school work conference in December last year, Xi criticized some Party members as advocates of "Western capitalist ideology," and noted that there are hostile forces who attempt to subvert the Party's rule and faith in Marxism, socialism and communism.

Zhou Fengli believed that the popularity of Western festivals is mainly created by commercial activities. "They are losing their original religious and cultural connotations," he said.

Zhou also thinks it is a symbol of the diversity and inclusiveness of the young generations. "Just like 'double 11' day, which had been celebrated as Singles Day, but has now become a shopping carnival. You can choose not to celebrate, but there's no need to oppose it," said Zhou, who is a public servant now.

Public kindergartens usually don't celebrate these Western festivals, said Shi, who has engaged in preschool education for 13 years.

A parent surnamed Li of a 11-year-old boy in Beijing said the schools don't celebrate Western festivals, either. "My kid's school has recently organized a series of activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, such as recitation contests and artistic performances," he said.