China issues major holiday dates for 2013

The State Council, China's Cabinet, has issued major holiday dates for 2013.

The New Year's Day holiday will last three days, from Jan. 1 to 3, and people will need to work on Jan. 5 (Saturday) and 6 (Sunday).

The Spring Festival holiday will last seven days, from Feb. 9 to 15, with Feb. 16 (Saturday) and 17 (Sunday) as working days. The Spring Festival Eve falls on Feb. 9.

The holiday for Tomb-Sweeping Day will be from April 4 to 6, with April 7 (Sunday) as a working day.

The holiday for Labor Day will be from April 29 to May 1, with the pervious Saturday and Sunday as working days.

The Dragon Boat Festival, which is held across China to pay homage to ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan, will be from June 10 to 12. The previous Saturday and Sunday will be working days.

The Mid-Autumn Festival will be from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21. The following Sunday will be a working day.

The National Day lasts for seven days, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7. The previous Sunday and the following Saturday will be working days.

The State Council has urged all departments to make preparations for people's safety during holiday periods, and major accidents should be reported promptly and properly dealt with in accordance with relevant rules.