End of a Decade, New Beginnings for the 2020 Metal Rat
2020 may have started in the West already, but in Asia and China, we’re not there yet. With Chinese New Year right around the corner, let’s take a look at the past decade and important developments that took place!
2010
On November 11, the ‘Singles Day of the Century” took place, raking in 900 million RMB (in comparison, for 2019 this number was 38 billion RMB). The world was a simpler place, with WeChat still in development and RenRen being one of china’s top 4 social networks. Lastly, for those who wanted to put their country on display, they could do so in Shanghai at the 2010 Expo.
2011
This year marked the birth of a small app called Weixin. It didn’t have an English name yet and looked very familiar to other Western chat apps like WhatsApp. Starting with the basics, users could send text messages, create voice clips and share pictures. In the summer, the Communist Games or National Red Games took place, to commemorate the 90-year anniversary of the founding of the CCP.
2012
The iconic CCTV Beijing Headquarters (the ‘big pants’) is completed a decade after Dutch architectural firm OMA designed it. And at the 18th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping is chosen as the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.
2013
Xi Jinping took power of the country under his vision A New Chinese Dream. Also, David Beckham becomes a global ambassador for Chinese football to help the image of the country’s game. “I am honored to have been asked to play such an important role at this special time in Chinese football history,” he said in a statement.
2014
The Winter Olympics in Sochi took place this year and the Chinese took home a significant number of medals. Especially the women performed well, bringing home all the gold in 3 of the speed skating (long and short track) disciplines.
2015
Following last year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Beijing is chosen in 2015 to host the Games in 2022. It’s also the year where the one-child policy was abolished, allowing all families to now have 2 children.
2016
Coming from the Siberian continent, a century cold wave hits nearly all parts of China. Guangzhou and Hong Kong enjoy the first snow of the century, prompting lots of excited messages on social media and amused responses from northerners. Shanghai Disney Resort, the largest in the world, also opens its doors to the Chinese public.
2017
WeChat launches mini-programs, which quickly blow up in popularity and become used for everything from ordering food, buying gift cards or connecting with your favorite brand. The fastest bullet train, riding between Shanghai and Beijing also starts operating. Google’s AlphaGo beats the world’s best Go player, Chinese 19-year old Ke Jie.
2018
China launched the Chang’e-4 lunar probe, which should make its first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon. Shanghai also hosts the first-ever China International Import Expo with the theme of “New Era, Shared Future”.
2019
Last year’s National Holiday was extra extra, celebrating the 70-year anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It was also the year for Shanghai to implement its detailed waste-separating policy. Do you know by heart now which things should go with wet or dry waste?
So what does 2020 bring us?
The rat is the first in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Coupled with a new decade, this makes for an excellent moment for renewals and new beginnings. The rat is optimistic and energetic, a kind personality but sometimes not the best at communication which can make them seem rude or impolite.
In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children. Rats are frugal and make good financial decisions, so if you’re looking to save some money, be sure to ask them for advice!
However, if you’re not a rat, there’s no reason for fear. It’s predicted that the coming year will be good for all zodiacs and it will bring motivation and determination for your goals, aspirations, and hobbies.
Want to learn more about the Chinese zodiac, check out some articles here, here, and here.
Or maybe you want the grand authentic experience of Chinese New Year in China. Then get started with us today!
