Episode 1: Time to go home for reunion

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-25-2009 18:01

Today News Hour starts a special series on China's most important holiday -- Spring Festival. In the first episode, we look at the significance of family reunions over the holiday. Family get-togethers are an integral part of celebrations, and the smiling faces of loved ones around the dinner table on New Year's Eve makes all the effort of travelling home worthwhile. Li Ying meets some ordinary Chinese who are looking forward to their annual family reunion.

Ms. Sun has been very busy in recent days. For the first  time in 4 years, her daughter will be home for the Spring  Festival.(CCTV.com)

Ms. Sun has been very busy in recent days. For the first time in 4 years, her daughter will be home for the Spring Festival. Studying in Australia for her master's degree, her daughter can usually come back home in the summer. Ms. Sun says she's already used to her daughter's absence, but she also admits that it's not the same celebrating without her. And faced with the prospect of seeing her daughter again, Ms. Sun can't hide her excitement.

Sun Huaxian, Beijing Resident(CCTV.com)

Sun Huaxian, Beijing Resident, said, "I miss her so much and I'm really looking forward to welcoming her home. I'm so happy and excited that she will be back soon. She hasn't been home for the Spring Festival for 4 years. She also misses us very much. We understand that Chinese students studying abroad like her can feel very lonely when the Spring Festival comes. After all, her home is here in Beijing. And this time, she will come back with her Master's degree. I'm so proud of her."