Following on the heels of Christmas 2009, the 2010 New Year is approaching. At the end of the economic winter of 2009, overseas Chinese are taking stock of their business in the past year, and at the same time pulling themselves together and looking forward to a better year.

Moscow

In 2009, Chinese business people in Moscow had a very tough time. In addition to the economic crisis, the closure of Cherkizovsky Market in the summer of 2009 made Chinese business people experience a "cold summer." However, those business people who survived the closure and have lasted until the winter have been surprised to find that the winter of 2009 has actually been a "warm winter." While business people are taking stock at the end of 2009, everything seems to indicate that the situation will take a turn for the better and that the gains will be better than expected.
According to Shanghai Qiaobao, Gao Manping, who has been engaged in the stuffed toy business in Moscow for years, has been all smiles these days, while the worried expression she wore last summer is completely gone. The smile is on her face because the zodiac toys she ordered for the incoming zodiac year of the tiger have sold out, and even the goods, which were overstocked, have sold well. Gao Manping said excitedly: "This year's losses have been earned back."

Although Zhang Cairong's company was downsized a bit in 2009, on the whole the sales looked promising. He said: "After doing some calculations, I found that the revenues in rubles were considerably better than last year."

Paris

In Paris, at 6pm local time, there were only a few customers in Chen Jun's restaurant. This is not uncommon; Chen's restaurant has been in this situation for the entire second half of 2009. Chen said: "Nowadays, it is rare that all the seats will be taken. But in previous years, it was quite normal, and the number of customers would double on weekends." Chen's restaurant has been opened for seven or eight years. It enjoys a good reputation in the local area and the restaurant is located in a tourist area. She said the sluggish economy in France was the cause for the bad business.

There are more Chinese who have had a hard time in Paris. Actually, various walks of life have been affected. With the New Year around the corner, Chinese clothing shops have scaled down. Zhou Zhenguo, who has had a clothing shop for four years, said: "In previous years, I would hire five people. But this year, three will do."

He Nian, who works in decoration, said: "The amount of profitable work has dropped considerably this year. But I cannot decrease the amount of money I send to my family in China at the end of the year."

And some people have begun to think about leaving France. Bai Xue, a Chinese student studying in France, said that maybe Christmas in 2009 would be her last Christmas in Paris. "I have no other choice. With the economic depression, it is very difficult to find a job."

Not long ago, Yu Xin was laid off by a dot-com company. Because of the economic crisis, the whole department was cut. "Last year, when the company was doing well, the boss helped me obtain a residence permit, and I received double pay at the end of the year. The residence permit expires soon. So if I cannot find a job before then, I will go back to China for the Spring Festival.”

Sydney

As the New Year approaches, exciting activities are going on in Chinese communities in various countries. In Sydney, Australia, various celebration activities will hit the stage. Among them, the most gripping will be the New Year's Eve Fireworks on December 31. The fireworks show is an annual landmark activity in Sydney, and is a world-famous New Year’s celebration activity.

Starting at 5pm on December 31, a variety of entertainment activities will go on stage, and the most anticipated New Year's Eve Fireworks will be staged at midnight. The theme of the Midnight Fireworks this year is "Awaken the Spirit." Dazzling fireworks will be fired into the sky above Sydney Harbor, with well-dressed ships sailing around Sydney Opera House.

In addition, during the Spring Festival, in the Municipal District of Ryde, the largest Chinese community in Sydney, the Chinese community and South Korean community will for the first time join hands to hold a unique, week-long celebration to celebrate the Lunar New Year. At the E Mall in Ryde, there will be a variety of traditional activities, including a lion dance, a fireworks show, a cooking contest and gourmet tasting.

Sources: CCTV News