CHRISTMAS IN CHUNGKING
In spite of the war and the incredibly high prices of everything, the influx of refugees from the south and foggy weather which blotted out the sun. Christmas in Chungking was celebrated with traditional joy, according to a cable to the Sydney “Morning Herald” from its staff correspondent in China. The Chinese are incurable optimists. After eight years of war they stflt smile, he says. Here are impressions gathered in Chungking on Christmas Day : Children greet you in specially boflagged streets, grinning a friendly “Hello.” Crackers are being let off *o express the Chinese Christmas goodwill to foreigners. Ambassadors. Ministers. legations and representatives cf foreign countries all gave Christmas parties for national and Chinese guests. Notwithstanding wartime scarcity of luxuries, many Chungking shops displayed cakes with “Christmas greeting” inscribed on them. This was quite an achievement in a city where scarcity is general. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek gave a party to the children of members of his staff. He also issued a special Christmas message of encouragement 10 the Churches of China.
The most important factor, perhaps, is the feeling that the war has taken a definite turn for the better. The theme of most Christmas Day toasts was just that.
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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 3
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203CHRISTMAS IN CHUNGKING Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 3
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