Opinion / Commentary: This post summarises a third-party petition and represents the views of its author, not the position of the CNYVSLNY project. The project documents terminology usage and does not advocate for or against any particular term. Inclusion of this content does not constitute an endorsement of boycotts or targeted action against any organisation.

Change.org Petition: "End Cultural Appropriation — Restore the Name Chinese New Year"

February 19, 2026 · Petition by Alice Meng

A Change.org petition launched by Alice Meng calls on governments and institutions to stop replacing "Chinese New Year" with "Lunar New Year," framing the rebrand as cultural erasure with roots in colonial history.

View the petition on Change.org →

Overview

The petition argues that the growing replacement of "Chinese New Year" with "Lunar New Year" reflects a broader pattern of cultural erasure rooted in colonial history and modern misrepresentation. The festival originates from the Chinese luni-solar calendar — not a purely lunar system — making the generic label factually inaccurate as well as culturally diminishing.

Rebranding it as "Lunar New Year" strips the celebration of its historical identity, weakens recognition of Chinese-originated cultural heritage, and risks turning a deeply rooted tradition into a vague event.

The petition also notes that in December 2024, "Chinese New Year" (Chunjie / Spring Festival) was formally recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, reinforcing the case for using the original name.

Key Arguments

1. The term "Lunar New Year" carries a colonial legacy

The petition traces the terminology shift to British colonial Hong Kong. The Holidays (Amendment) Ordinance No. 19 of 1967 used "Chinese New Year," while the Holidays (Amendment) Ordinance 1968 (Bill No. 11 of 1968), published on 11 April 1968, replaced it with "Lunar New Year" for the first time. The petition argues that reinstating "Chinese New Year" aligns with broader global efforts toward decolonisation.

2. Rebranding as "Lunar New Year" is factually inaccurate

The traditional Chinese calendar is luni-solar, incorporating both lunar phases and the solar year. The Chinese Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) in Nanjing determines the official date using precise astronomical calculations. By contrast, the Islamic Hijri Calendar is a true lunar calendar. Conflating the two systems misrepresents the astronomical principles underlying each tradition.

3. Respecting cultural origin matters

The petition draws an analogy: just as the language spoken in the Anglophone world is called "English" to acknowledge its origins, using "Chinese New Year" recognises where the festival came from — without excluding other communities that celebrate it. The 2024 UNESCO recognition of Chunjie as intangible cultural heritage further reinforces using terminology that reflects the festival's origin.

4. Inclusivity should not come at the cost of cultural appropriation

While the petition acknowledges the intention behind more inclusive terminology, it argues that genuine inclusivity respects historical and cultural origins rather than erasing them. Using "Chinese New Year" does not prevent others from participating in or celebrating the festival.

Connection to This Project

The petition's argument about the 1967–1968 terminology shift in Hong Kong colonial law directly mirrors the documentary evidence presented on our History page, which traces the same change through primary legal sources. This petition demonstrates growing public awareness of — and engagement with — the historical record.

Source: Change.org — End cultural appropriation: Restore the name Chinese New Year, by Alice Meng.