stop hating on china. China is going to surpass the usa, just deal with it

Two facts make the above content completely nonsense:
1. Chinese people do not celebrate the most important day of the year in bars.

2. Houhai is where most of the old residence and heritages are. It would be a joke to say that the locals like to light up firecrackers there.

The lack of cultural understandings is proven.

Why believe in old superstitions when most Chinese (especially the younger generation) are doing away with them? China may be looking forward to a quiet year, but not necessary a paltry one.

In this global financial downturn, practically all nations are feeling the seizure. China will not be the exception, only a matter of lesser degree.

Less loud bangs, more evil spirits? If one cannot say anything good in the New Year, BETTER DON’T say anything at all.
(Tan Boon Tee)

How depressing, but it is all relative. I can't be anything but 'impressed' with the overt attempt to paint the bleakest picture possible of China. The irony is the US is in worse shape financially, even if its citizens have a higher standard of living and seem to be celebrating in style, i.e the Inauguration.

"Chinese typically don’t like talking about tough times ahead" is an positive attitude that helps Chinese survive for thousand years. This isn’t the U.S., where almost everyone is moaning practically everything about their financial pain which they deserve. Learn from Chinese!

Poking a conflict between peoples to stimulate economy and make a profit.

Strongly agree with David Liu's comment, and I just have 2 points to say:
1.Houhai in Beijing is most famous for bars which attract a lot of foreigners, so it is no surprise to see more foreigners than Chinese there, especially during a time when most Chinese are back home gathering with their families.
2.Well, admittedly, Chinese economy is affected by the Crisis to some extent, but compared to Americans who are more realistic(most of the time except for listening to Obama's speech:), Chinese people tend to think and behave more optimistically. This is just a cultural difference, and I don't consider either one as completely good or bad, however in this economic recession, an optimistic mood is definitely more helpful. As long as we realize these differences, we could know how things really work.
What is important is a positive cultural communication,which means learning from each other and cooperating with each other. As the 2008 Olympics Theme Song "You and Me" goes, "You and me, from one world, we are family."
–From a Chinese college student studying in the U.S.

From today's news:

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - A man apparently despondent about losing his job killed his wife and five children before turning the gun on himself, officials said Tuesday.

Yep, the Evil spirits stay around this year. A sad story from John's neighborhood.

Today, (CNN) - "A relative of a 93-year-old Michigan man who froze to death in his home says the incident could have been prevented if someone had used common sense."

"The temperature in Marvin Schur's home was 32 degrees when his body was found, a medical examiner said."

"Marvin Schur's neighbors found the World War II veteran's frozen body in his Bay City bedroom on January 17, four days after a device that regulates how much power he uses - installed because of failure to pay - shut off his power. A medical examiner said the temperature was 32 degrees in his house when Schur's body was found."

John, you know Mr. Schur might have been just slow in making the payment as he was old – 93. He might have the money (or his investment was stolen?). I am sure people feel sad about this kind of things, do you? Is your father younger? Check up on his utility payment for him, ok?

This year, things are tough. Let the Evil Spirits stay around in China only. You go ahead and preach more.

John:
I wish the people of China and all people of Chinese heritage: a happy lunar New Year.

Hey, I want to make a comment about the half filled bars comment. I am sorry but we are not talking about US here, so you can never judge if Chinese are half-spiritually celebrating their new year from the look in bars! Nightclubs and bars are places for foreigners and Chinese youngsters(actually I doubt many will be there on the Night of New Year Arrival), while the majority (elders and middle aged) people celebrate new years by having feasts together as a family in their homes! If you are really desperate to look for signs of public celebrations, go to the Chinese restaurants during dinner time around new year instead, and you will be guaranteed to see full reservations in every popular dinners.

So Dear Mr. Vause, you obviously went to somewhere credibly false.

DENNIS:

They, all of them, wish you a Happy New Year, too!

The most fascinating thing to me is not the story, but the comments.
No bad news in China.
No sirree.
Not allowed.
Nope.