China announces holiday dates for 2014

Updated: 2013-12-11 21:32

(Xinhua)

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BEIJING - The Chinese government on Wednesday unveiled holiday arrangements for 2014 after it sought opinions from the public through polls on major websites.

There will be 11 days off for major holidays, including the Spring Festival, the National Day, New Year's Day, Tomb-Sweeping Day, International Labor Day, the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Day, according to a statement released by the State Council, the Cabinet.

A major change is cutting the number of three-day holidays made up by "moving" weekends, as specified by draft plans released last month to seek public opinion.

An office responsible for the holiday plans under China's National Tourism Administration released three plans.

Between November 27 and December 1, more than 31,000 people took part and 55 percent favored the third option, which keeps two seven-day holidays for Spring Festival and the National Day.

Plan C was chosen by the government.

New Year's Day of 2014, will be a one day holiday on Wednesday, according to the plan.

Plan C means weekend days will not be moved if a holiday falls on a Wednesday, and moving one day from a weekend if the holiday is on Tuesday or Thursday.

This year's Spring Festival, China's most important festival for family reunions, will run from January 31 to February 6, the statement said.