In the first ten months of 2002 trade was up 18% compared with a similar period a year ago, according to Chinese customs data cited by the Xinhua news agency.

FORBES: Issues & Ideas

The Museum of Chinese in America kicks off its Lunar New Year Family Festival on 2 February with performances by local dancers, kid-centric Mandarin workshops, hands-on arts and crafts projects and a chance to learn more about Chinese holiday customs and rituals.

BBC: Celebrate Lunar New Year in New York City

What comes through loud and clear is that the Jin adopted Chinese beliefs and customs and that they loved their entertainment.

WSJ: Theater, Life, and the Afterlife | China Institute | A Dynasty Without the Hereafter? | By Lee Lawrence

Currently, electronics and other finishing touches are installed in Hong Kong, which means the yachts incur customs duties for Chinese buyers.

CNN: Made-in-China superyachts reflect changing tide of economy

To end the racket, they suggest Malaysia's customs should give notice to their Chinese counterparts when legal shipments of logs leave their shores.

ECONOMIST: China protects its trees, devours others

Imports rose 14.1 percent from the 5 percent for the combined January-February period, customs data showed Wednesday, suggesting Chinese manufacturers and consumers might be buying more.

NPR: China's March Imports Rise In Sign Of Recovery

Chinese shadow puppetry also passes on information such as cultural history, social beliefs, oral traditions and local customs.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

So while China's size will be a huge opportunity for Chinese people and the rest of the world as they consume more, it might not mean China and its customs will be copied all over the world, as has been the case for America over the past 50 years since it became so important.

ECONOMIST: The World in 2036