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Foreigners feasting on festive delights

2014-01-30 09:25 China Daily Web Editor: Wang Fan
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Liu Wei (second right), deputy Party chief of Beijing Language and Culture University, shows Maria Bolocan (second left), a Romanian student how to make dumplings at the school's party to celebrate the coming Spring Festival. Zou Hong / China Daily

Liu Wei (second right), deputy Party chief of Beijing Language and Culture University, shows Maria Bolocan (second left), a Romanian student how to make dumplings at the school's party to celebrate the coming Spring Festival. Zou Hong / China Daily

A growing number of expatriates are choosing to work, study and live in China, lured by increased opportunities for exchanges in cultural and economic fields in the three decades since the pace of reform and opening-up accelerated.

In 1980, fewer than 20,000 foreigners had lived in China for more than six months, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

However, by 2011 the number had soared to nearly 600,000, with some 220,000 expatriates working in joint ventures or as teachers and representatives of foreign institutions.

Some of those who have lived in the country for many years consider China as their second home, with many finding Chinese spouses and becoming the sons- or daughters-in-law of Chinese families.

Spring Festival, or Chunjie, is upon us once again. As we head into the country's most important holiday, one that revolves around all-important family reunions, how do these "half-Chinese" regard the festivities?

In some senses, Chunjie is similar to Christmas in Western countries, so how do the two compare?

We asked four expatriates for their views and to share their Chunjie stories.

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