Two-and-Half-Day Weekend

Recent news shows that the Chinese government is encouraging employees to have two-and-half-day weekend during hot summer days. [Photo: nntv.cn]

Wu Wenxue, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Bureau said this during a State Council meeting.
 
This encouragement comes with the understanding that the weekend will start on Friday afternoon.
 
In an ongoing survey conducted by sina.com.cn, nearly 80 percent of the estimated 30,000 respondents believe a two-and-half day long weekend is feasible.

Why this proposal?