Gov't greeting cards purchase ban

PKG

INTRO

New year cards and calendars used to be popular gifts for seasons' greetings, but this year, many of them may well be left in the stock room, due to a ban on government purchasing of greeting cards.

We find out more...

PKG

In years past, the end of year was always a busy time for card printing factories as well as photo agencies.

But things are getting increasingly difficult for the businesses involved and they are taking far fewer orders...

In the Changchun Easy Graphic Company, only a few printing machines are working...

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) WEI CHUNFENG, Manager, Easy Graphic Company:

"We used to make more desk calendars and wall calendars, but this year, it's much worse than it used to be. We don't know why... whether it is due to economic problems or subsiding demand."

To limit government consumption, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection issued a ban on purchasing new year cards and calendars.

It prohibits all levels of Party and government organizations, state-owned enterprises and financial institutions, from using public funds to buy, print, mail new year cards, postcards, calendars and similar items.

After the ban, many printing and design companies that used to get big government orders had to find and open up new markets.

Some graphic design companies shifted their focus from enterprises to private customers with products like wedding albums and family calendars.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) WEI CHUNFENG, Manager, Easy Graphic Company:

"We now offer more personalized designs. Our target consumers have transferred from companies to individuals. We give priority to individual designs. Even if you just want one or two copies, we can also do that."

While some are trying hard to survive, others seem to welcome the ban on cards...

Fang, who works with a public entity, says he hates the tradition of writing new year cards and, he admits, it is a relief that the ban has been issued.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) MR. FANG

"This time of year always gave me a headache as I had to send cards to different companies we work with. Every single card needs to be hand written so as to show how sincere my wishes were. I had to write dozens of cards and it was boring and tiresome."

Even those who received the cards felt it was a waste of time and effort.

Some of them say a phone call or message, can express the same wish, and mailing the cards, in some cases, could be a waste of resources.