Year of the Boar

According to traditional Chinese astrology, this year - of the Golden Pig - is an extremely auspicious one. Many Chinese couples have planned their baby to be born during this year, since it is considered a very lucky year to be born in. People born under the sign of the pig are generally considered pleasant, friendly and reliable.
Shanghai Daily reports that "city officials are concerned that this baby boom will trigger a spate of generational social problems, such as over-crowding in schools and in the job markets, problems that could stay active for several decades."



The pig craze has been halted a bit by the state-run broadcaster, CCTV, where pigs apparently have been banned "out of consideration for the Muslim minorities". But, as the case with the surprise hit "the pig song" (widely spread on the Internet) shows, the government cannot totally control the people's love for pigs ...