At glittering malls in major Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Chongqing, customers are greeted with enormous Christmas trees, lights, tinsel, and present boxes. However, in many regions of China, extending the season’s pleasantries is impossible.

A property management company in the southwest region of Yunnan province sent out a notice to tenants of shopping malls, urging them to refrain from selling Christmas cards and presents, as well as hanging decorations. The notice also stated that foreign traditions should not be “blindly” followed and that individuals should have confidence in their culture.

Similarly, schools managing schools from Dongguan in the south to Harbin in the northeast urged students and parents to refrain from unquestioningly adhering to the customs and traditions of other countries through a lack of reflection.

“The Battle at Lake Changjin” is a Chinese film released in 2021 and depicts a ferocious battle between the Chinese People’s Voluntary Army and United States forces during the Korean War. A local chapter of the Communist Youth League in Gansu province, located northwest of China, instructed its members to celebrate their participation in the film instead.

There is no prohibition on the practice of Christianity in China; nonetheless, much like every other religion that is allowed, Christianity is subject to stringent management and governance due to concerns about “foreign influences.”

As a worldwide projection of its soft power, China is eager to export Chinese culture, such as the rituals surrounding the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. This is part of China’s efforts to project its soft power.

In mainland China, where Buddhism and Taoism are the predominant religions and ancestral worship is prevalent, Christmas Day is not recognized as an official holiday. At the formal level, the Communist Party is an atheist.

Last week, Wang Huning, who sits in the fourth-ranking position on the influential Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party under President Xi Jinping, urged Christian organizations to “adhere to the direction of the socialization of Christianity.”

According to a story that was published by the official Xinhua news agency on Saturday, Wang was quoted as saying, “(We must) interpret the doctrines and rules in line with the requirements of contemporary China’s development and progress, core socialist values, and excellent Chinese traditions and culture.”

China’s unilateral appointment of bishops in a country with around 12 million Catholics has been a source of contention between the Vatican and Beijing for an extended period.

For the sake of “maintaining social stability,” the city of Langfang, located in the province of Hebei and immediately south of Beijing, implemented a blanket ban on public displays for Christmas and the sale of things associated with the holiday in 2018.

At the same time, China is prepared for the rest of the world to celebrate the ideas and culture of China.

On Monday, a representative for the foreign ministry stated that the spring celebration is about joy, harmony, and peace. This statement came after the United Nations declared the celebration a floating United Nations holiday only the previous week. The spokesman said: “We would like to celebrate the Spring Festival with the entire world.”