By Chen Feng, 29 Jan, 2009, Sydney
The Premier of New South Wales Nathan Rees (left) and the Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore (center) at the launching ceremony of Chinese New Year Festival. [Photo: XKB.com.au]
On the first night of Spring Festival, I stayed at home to watch the news on TV. I was surprised to find that the 26th was also a "black Monday" for workers in western countries. In the United States, Europe and Japan, tens of thousands of jobs were slashed on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The same thing has happened in Australia. Now and then, you hear news that workers have lost their jobs, first in the financial sector, then the mining sector - a pillar industry in Australia - then the retail and service sector, then everywhere, even in media. Several of my friends in the local media circle have become jobless recently.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said many times that 2009 will be a tough year for Australians, and this morning the New Zealand central bank cut the official base rate to a record low, aiming to reinvigorate the country's receding economy. The Australian central bank is widely expected to do the same next week.
Nevertheless, the Chinese New Year Festival in Sydney still attracted large crowds - not only overseas Chinese, but also local Australians. They told me that as the ox stands for the realization of prosperity and fortune through diligence, courage and hard work, they believe it's an appropriate symbol for them in this difficult time. They hope the celebration of Chinese Year of the Ox will bring them good luck in the future.
I met Glenn, a recently laid-off worker, among the crowd at the celebration site. He said his life has been affected significantly by recent events. Now he has to carefully watch every cent, and is much more cautious when looking at potential major investments such as property or motor vehicles.
It's Glenn's second time to participate in the Chinese New Year Festival, but this year is particularly significant because he was born in the Year of the Ox. He told me that he made a wish on the first day of the Ox Year.
May his wish come true!
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