China, officially the People's Republic of China, is the largest country in the world by population and is the 4th -largest country in the world by area, next only to Russia, Canada and United States. The one percent of Chinese citizens who consider themselves Christians unofficially and they observe Christmas on December 25. But in China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. Although Christianity is unofficial in China, there are an estimated 10 million baptized Christians (about 1 percent) who celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas time.

Christmas has now become a festive occasion for an increasing number of Chinese in large urban centers of mainland China. This reflects a cultural interest in this Western phenomenon or sometimes, as part of retail marketing schemes. People decorate their homes with dazzling Christmas lights, beautiful Christmas tree and glittering colour papers.

Christmas trees are called "trees of light" and are also decorated with colour paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Children hang up muslin stockings in hopes that Father Christmas (Dun Che Lao Ren -China's Santa) will visit and fill them with presents. Stores have men dressed as Santa Claus to attract children.

Giving gifts is also an important part of the Chinese Christmas celebrations. People exchange beautiful Christmas gifts and greeting cards each other.

Attendance at Christmas Eve mass has also become more popular in recent years. Year after years, the Chinese public is becoming more conscious about the significance of Christmas, and more and more people are participate and enjoy themselves in the spirit of Christmas celebrations.