China asks the people about holidays

BEIJING - China's holiday authorities on Wednesday started soliciting public opinion on three draft schemes of public holiday arrangements for 2014.

A poll is running on the country's major news websites, with the Spring Festival holiday lasting seven days in all three schemes including weekends before and after.

The major differences apply to the National Day holiday with options of three days, five days or seven days, all starting from October 1. The latter two schemes include weekends.

Meanwhile, some other holidays like New Year's Day, Tomb-sweeping Day, May Day, Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival will last one day if they fall on a Wednesday, three days including a weekend if on Tuesday or Thursday, or extend onto Monday if they fall on Saturday or Sunday.

The government started a similar online poll on October 10, with many wanting current arrangements changed.