It Is Tough For China's Migrant Workers To Get Back Home

Beijing Diary By Samantha Tan Chiew Ting Bernama's correspondent in Beijing Samantha Tan Chiew Ting shares her take on China. BEIJING, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Each year come Chinese New Year (CNY), China will witness mass exodus of its people from its major cities including its capital city Beijing. No matter how far, even if it takes more than 10 hours to reach, the Chinese will try their best to travel home for the reunion dinner. With one in every three Beijingers being migrants from other parts of China, going back home is certainly a challenge. Literally millions of people will be on the move as CNY nears. While on the subway, I overheard a conversation among the locals on how challenging it is just to get back home for the CNY just around the corner (Feb 8 & 9). The Chinese have to workout their travel plans early, with the train, flight or bus tickets booked months earlier to ensure they reach home on time for the reunion dinner with the family. REUNION DINNER KEEP FAMILY BONDED Feasting together during the reunion dinner on new year's eve is deemed important for the families. It is when those who live and work far away from their families gather. Often, for many, it is the only occasion in the year they return to be with their families. No matter how far away one is, one will find every avenue possible to make it back in time for the occasion. Xing Li Yun, 30, whom I met in the subway after the conversation, said she bought her flight ticket three months earlier and would fly home to Shandong, an eastern Chinese province, a day before the Lunar New Year. "Last year I was unable to make it as the tickets were sold out. I even waited at the airport for two days just to try my luck if anyone failed to turn up at the last minute," said Xing who has been working in Beijing for two years. Despite of having a flight ticket this time around, Xing is still worried over the possibility of the flight being delayed or canceled amidst the current heavy snowfalls in China, the worst in 30 years. "I can't wait to be home this year just to see my parents and have a dinner together. The feeling of sitting together on the dining table with the family during Lunar New Year is very different. We will sit and talk after a long hard busy year. This is also the time I can enjoy my mum's cooking...I really miss her cooking," Xing said in her emotionally choked voice. REGRETS OVER NOT ABLE TO BE HOME Meanwhile, 35-year old Lui Zhong will not be able to join his family for the reunion dinner this year as he has to work during CNY to earn extra income. "My wife and son have already left to Sichuan (a southwestern Chinese province). This year I will celebrate the new year alone as I have to work for extra income," said the delivery man with a courier company. Lui, born in the year of the monkey, hopes this year will be a lucky year for him. He will be wearing a red outfit on new year's eve to get rid of bad luck. For those who stay back in Beijing, the CNY period will be the most relaxed one, especially with the migrant workers heading home for the week-long holiday. CALM IN BUSTLING CITY I was told by the Beijingers that the capital would be peaceful during the CNY holiday period. It will be easy to explore the city as the roads, the subways and the buses will be less crowded. A Beijinger, who just want to be known as Liang shared that CNY in Beijing is celebrated moderately. "Normally locals here just visit friends and relatives or else stay at home. This is the time we get a proper rest after working hard throughout the year. Some may visit 'miaohui' (temple fairs held during the Chinese New Year) to pray for happiness, health and luck as well as enjoying various activities like shopping and eating," he said. Chinese New Year is more than a celebration, it is also the time to welcome a better year ahead, cherish each moment together, appreciate and strengthen family bonds. --BERNAMA