阅读理解 As many people around the world celebrate Mother's Day a Chinese scholar and member of a top national advisory body had made it his mission to create China's own Mother's Day . Li Hanqiu a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC)National Committee suggested that the second day of the fourth lunar month which fell on May 18 this year be the day . It coincided with the birthday of 4 th century BC philosopher Mencius whose mother has long been considered the epitome( 典范 )of maternal devotion and love . Li has called for the traditional Western gift of carnations( 康乃馨 )for the day to be changed to lilies which in ancient times were planted by mothers in their courtyards as a sign of sorrow at their children leaving home . “in a country with a deeply-rooted tradition of filial piety( 虔诚的考道 ) we should have our own occasion for people to express love for mothers according to Chinese custom ” Li said . He has founded a non-government organization “Chinese Mother's Festival Promotion Society” with the support of around 100 Confucian scholars and lecturers of ethics . It celebrated its first Chinese Mother's Day Festival on May 18 . This was the first year and the celebration was held only in Zoucheng city of Shandong Province and Shijiazhuang in Hebei . It will be accepted by more Chinese people at home and abroad as time goes on . Li also plans to build a theme park on maternal culture in Zoucheng the birthplace of Mencius . According to Li the society plans to send pamphlets( 小册子 )over the next few years to a million students in 100 cities . To ensure the festival becomes entrenched in Chinese society may be an arduous process hut it is definitely worth doing . |