If you are planning for business travel to China in 2008, you should  
be aware of the Chinese Public Holidays. (Besides having your  
business card translated to Chinese)  
  
Jan  01 --  New Year's Day

Feb 06-08 --  Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (3 days) ** ***

Apr 04 -- Ching Ming Festival (new holiday starting in 2008)

May 01 -- International Labor Day (1 day only starting in 2008 instead of 3 days in previous years)

Jun 08 -- Dragon Boat Festival (new holiday starting in 2008)

Sep 14 -- Mid-Autumn Festival (new holiday starting in 2008)

Oct  01-03 -- National Day (3 days) ** 

 
** Important Note Read Carefully: The "weekends" (Sat,Sun days off) 
preceding and following the above 3-day holidays may be shifted from 
year-to-year TOWARDS the 3-day block to give a continuous stretch 
of  7 days off (Golden Week). They may end up having to work on other Sat. or 
Sun. to make up. To complicate things more, the actual arrangement is usually not 
finalized until shortly before the holiday event. Check with your host or travel 
agent to confirm.

** Hot from the press **

The Oct 01-03 National Day holidays for this year (2008), after weekend shifting

now has the Sept 29 to Oct 5 inclusive 'Golden Week'.

*** Starting in 2008, the Spring Festival holidays start on Chinese New Year's Eve instead of Chinese New Year's Day.
    
    The following days are partial holidays for particular groups of 
people. Business meetings may or may not be affected. 

    Mar 08       -- International Women's Day (All women get a half day off).  
    May 04      -- Youth Day (All persons 14-20 get a half day off).  
    Jun   01      -- Children's Day (All children 13 and under get a full day off).  
    Aug  01      -- Army Day (Special procedure dept. of national defense 
                          for all armed forces personnel).

Our International Business Cards Site: www3.sympatico.ca/ccsr/buscrd.html