The Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival as it is called in the modern China) is the most important holiday not just in mainland China but also in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese New Year starts with the new moon of the first lunar month, between 21 January and 20 February. In 2017 the first day of the Chinese New Year is 28 January, initiating the year of the rooster.
Unlike Westerners, the Chinese have a celebration that lasts for about 20 days. Students have a one month winter holiday, while employees have seven days off from work. Business is usually resumed on the 8th day of the festival.
During the Chinese New Year celebrations, business simply stops in China. Literally. This may have an effect on your business if you have a Chinese partner.
China is simply huge, and people often have relatives in distant parts of the country. They will want to visit their family, and, most importantly, eat the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. Then, over the following days, they will set out to go home. This massive amount people on the go results in the biggest migration on the planet every year.
After such a long holiday, you are not supposed to rush your Chinese business partner. It takes some time to get back to business as usual. So, as a final advice to avoid negative effects of the Chinese New Year celebrations on your company: plan ahead, and settle anything urgent well before the Spring Festival!
We wish you all the best in the year of the rooster!
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