Chinese New Year – Need To Know

In China, export orders are currently being rushed onto planes and ships, prior to factory closures, as we fast approach the Chinese New Year. But what do we know about this extraordinary event?

Chinese New Year Day will fall on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, beginning the Year of the Rabbit. The official week long public holiday will commence on January 22nd and finish on January 29th, 2023, although many businesses are closed for two weeks.

The holiday is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, and is widely considered the most important festival in China, as it celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

For the public, traditions include the thorough cleaning of homes to rid the resident of any lingering bad luck and the holiday period is an important time to feast and visit family members. Individuals travel from all over the globe to be with their loved ones – the 48 hours before Chinese New Year sees the largest migration of people in the world.

While the public holiday lasts for a week, the celebrations last for two and traditionally finish with the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the Lunar year. During this period, people hang glowing red lanterns outside of their homes and businesses. It’s also the time of the dragon dances, which involve a long, colourful dragon being paraded through the streets as a symbol of good fortune.

For supply chains, the Chinese New Year period creates a 2-3 week lull in China’s export production, which results in carriers blanking sailings and pressure to get products shipped before the holiday period. Although with the dip in demand from China, that rush has not been as significant this year.

So, from the team at Jenkar, we wish you a Happy Chinese New Year !!