Next week, China will celebrate its official National Day on October 1st, marking the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

The holiday, which is observed across the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, ushers in Golden Week, one of the country’s two extended national holidays that effectively pause China’s export activity.

Public spaces across the country are decorated with flags and flowers in honour of the occasion, and festivities include large-scale fireworks displays and cultural activities, especially in Beijing.

The holiday is also closely tied to one of the world’s largest annual travel events, as millions of people journey across the country to reunite with family. This mass movement is often described as the biggest human migration on earth.

Golden Week brings with it significant economic and logistical effects. With most factories, businesses, and government offices closing for the seven-day break, exports from China practically come to a standstill.

This shutdown typically creates a two-week lag in shipping and export orders, as carriers adjust schedules and blank out scheduled sailings to account for the pause.

For global supply chains, the holiday serves as a predictable but disruptive annual event, highlighting both the scale of China’s manufacturing power and the ripple effects its domestic traditions can have worldwide.

Wishing you a happy National Day and a prosperous Golden Week!