China's florists had their hopes dashed Thursday when what should have been a big sales day went unmarked.

The sale of flowers on Aug. 15, the Chinese Valentine's Day, was nothing special, said a disappointed Miss Zhang, who owns a flower store in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province. "Most young people don't remember this day, but on Feb. 14, I couldn't even stop for lunch or dinner."

In Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, the price of a rose was 3 yuan (36 US cents) as usual, compared to 10 or 15 yuan (1.2 or 1.8 US dollars) on Feb. 14.

Aug. 15 is considered "the Chinese Saint Valentine's Day" in memory of two ancient lovers, who were separated by a goddess and only allowed to meet on this day each year.

With the opening up of China, the Chinese are paying more attention to Western events, especially the young people who have forgotten many traditional Chinese festivals.

Some people buying flowers in Wuhan remember that Aug. 15 is the 57th anniversary of Japan's surrender, while fewer people knowit is the Chinese lovers' day.

Compared with the lively activities on Saint Valentine's Day, there were almost no sales promotions in stores.

But a few young people still cherish the traditional festival. "I am deeply moved by the ancient love story, and decided to celebrate it with my boyfriend," said Liu Bingling, a student at Hunan University.

( People's Daily August 16, 2002)