Chinese New Year in Hong Kong means that our office will be closed on 5th, 6th and 7th February.
The next Chinese year in the twelve year cycle is the Year of the Pig. The Pig is actually the last animal in the cycle and the previous Pig Year – 2007 was the Year of the Golden Pig which only occurs every 600 years. Pig years generally mean prosperity and well being.
One pig that is doing extremely well in China at present is Peppa, a UK children’s cartoon character originally started in 2004 but launched in China only a few years ago. A full-length movie especially made for the China market will be out over Chinese New Year. Toys, clothes and even home furnishings with a Peppa theme have been big sellers in China – a market that is often difficult for Western companies to tackle. There will also be two Peppa theme parks opening in Shanghai and Beijing.
Peppa has a darker side in China where it has been adopted by some adults sporting tattoos and wearing merchandise. The pig has become a symbol for slackers and anti-social young people according to the People’s Daily (the mouthpiece of the Chinese communist party). However Peppa seems to have overcome this glitch and doubtless will continue to make lots of money for her owners in the coming year.
Best wishes to everyone and may you all get fat in the Year of the Pig!
