Corruption is new terrible nian

In the ancient story of Chinese New Year, there was a terrible beast called the nian. It was a fearsome creature, with a big mouth that could swallow a man in one bite. Sort of like a really terrible mother-in-law! Yet, finally, the terrible nian was subdued.

Today, as a precaution, every year Chinese families all over the country set off a thunderous volley of fireworks to make sure the pesky nian doesn't rear its ugly head again.

Over the years, China has seen various new versions of the nian - natural disasters, foreign invasion and internal struggle. Yet, the Middle Kingdom has emerged from all of them, sometimes bruised, but always for the better.