During a recent Lunar New Year tour, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a pastry shop in Beijing, leading to an overwhelming surge of customers eager to purchase the pastries he endorsed. His visit halted traffic in the capital as he also explored technology parks and engaged with business leaders during his two-day tour. This week marks the beginning of the nine-day Lunar New Year celebrations in China, which is considered the most significant holiday in the country's calendar.

The pastry shop, Daoxiangcun, is a historic bakery renowned for its traditional snacks, where Xi Jinping selected a variety of sweet treats. Among his choices were honey-glazed dough twists, cream-filled dough twists, and jujube flower pastries, all traditional favorites that highlight the bakery's reputation. Such an endorsement from the president dramatically boosted interest in the shop, reflecting the cultural significance of food in the context of national festivities in China.

The spike in customer traffic not only demonstrates the influence of political figures on consumer behavior in China but also underscores the communal spirit surrounding the Lunar New Year celebrations. This event illustrates how traditional customs continue to shape economic activities and public interactions, especially during festive periods when people express their admiration for leaders through purchases that resonate with cultural heritage.