New Year gridlock in 2008: China's mass migration is an annual event
By 10am, thousands of people huddle together in snaking lines, fenced off behind metal barricades and watched over by armed police.
In this overcrowded country, such scenes can only mean one thing: Chinese New Year, the most important holiday of the year for this nation's 1.3bn citizens.
The date - which is calculated by the Chinese lunar calendar, and which this year falls on January 26 on the Western calendar - prompts an annual 'spring migration' as people rejoin their families for celebrations.
Most do so by train. During the New Year period the world's most populous nation witnesses over two billion train journeys, and chaotic scenes in railway stations across the country.
It represents the world's biggest annual mass migration of humans.
The coming 2009 year of the earth Ox also called 2009 year of the Bull or Buffalo is around the corner. It looks like we've got honest, candid and open natured year ahead. As you might guess, coming 2009 year of the earth Ox is dependable, calm and modest. Sun sign horoscope for the 2009 year of the Ox like his animal sing is unshakably patient, full of hard work and tireless though need financial support to fulfill your ideas and make your desires.
From The Times
January 26, 2009
Beijing holds secret talks
Christians are allowed to worship under the official religious body but 100 million have turned to 'house churches'
A secret meeting between Chinese officials and leaders of the banned underground Protestant Church has marked the first significant step towards reconciliation in decades.
The discussions, which were held in an office in Beijing, were the first time that members of the Government and stalwarts of the outlawed “house churches” had sat down as negotiators rather than foes, The Times has learnt.
The timing was significant: this year is the 60th anniversary of communist power and the Government is keen to ensure that there are no disturbances to mar its celebrations. The Year of the Ox also begins today and Beijing is anxious to usher in a year of stability despite economic difficulties.
For three decades China has allowed officially sanctioned churches to operate within strict limits. Protestants are supposed to worship under the aegis of the official religious body, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement — standing for self-governing, self-teaching and self-supporting. Catholics can worship in churches run by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Other Christian organisations are illegal.
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