(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-25 19:27

As calls grow from the Chinese public to make the Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on Tuesday, a national holiday, the municipal government of Weifang decided to lead the way - albeit tentatively.

It gave government employees, doctors, teachers and other people working in public institutions in the east China city famous for its kite-making the day off to celebrate the festival. However, out of a total population of around eight million, only 190,000 benefited.

Nor was it an act of unadulterated charity - those who were given Tuesday off were made to work last Saturday to compensate the time lost.

"By adjusting people's work days, we hope they can celebrate the traditional festival with their family without their work being influenced," said Zhao Chongfa, vice secretary-general of Weifang.

A survey on China's portal website Sina.com showed that more than 97 percent of the 57,239 respondents nationwide supported the festival being made into public holiday so as to "promote China's traditional culture".

Another poll by a news website based in nearby Qingdao showed that 62 percent of the 1,055 people surveyed craved a family reunion on Mid-Autumn Day.

"Although the holiday is short, I am really glad to celebrate with my family," said 38-year-old Wang Heshan, works for the Kuiwen district government in Weifang.

Together with his 12-year-old daughter, Wang went back to his hometown in Gaomi city about 100 kilometers away, carrying moon cakes and tea for his parents.

"They have phoned several times asking me to come back earlier," he said. "In the past, although we have to work on the day, many people's minds are elsewhere in the office."

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