CHINESE Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree announcing revised holiday arrangements, which include an extension of public holidays by two days.

The Spring Festival holiday is extended from three days to four days, with the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year added. The May Day holiday is increased from one day to two days, with May 2 added.

These public holidays can now be combined with adjacent weekends or paid annual leave to create more prolonged vacation periods. In general, with few exceptions, the working days surrounding national holidays will not exceed six consecutive days.

The new rules, set to take effect Jan. 1, will give Chinese employees a more leisurely Spring Festival break, commencing on Jan. 28.(Xinhua)