The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Mon, August 15, 2022 | 18:39
Asia
Can't find love? China's party cadres lend a hand
Posted : 2022-02-11 17:26
Updated : 2022-02-11 07:21
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
                                                                                                 Single people participate in a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong Province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap
Single people participate in a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong Province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap

Zhang Shaoge wants to get married, but after struggling to meet the right woman through friends and work ― he has put his heart in the hands of China's Communist Party.

As concerns grow over the nation's falling birth and marriage rates, and the knock-on effect of economic stagnation and an ageing workforce, local officials from the CCP's youth branch are increasingly taking on the role of matchmakers.

Some are organizing more events and introductions for singles struggling to find love.

"It's about time to date and get married at this age. There isn't anyone suitable around me at the moment, so I wanted to expand my social circle," 30-year-old Zhang says of his decision to attend an officially-organized event.

Marriage rates have slumped across the nation. 8.14 million couples registered for marriage in 2020 compared with 13.47 million in 2013 according to China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Birthrates in the world's most populous nation plunged to 7.52 births per 1,000 people last year, according to NBS data ― the lowest figure since 1949 when Communist China was founded.

Due in part to China's notorious "one-child policy" and a long-standing preference for sons over daughters that led to sex-selective abortions and infanticide, there are tens of millions more men than women.

This gender imbalance for the generation between 1980 and 2016, when the rules were relaxed, is particularly stark in rural areas, adding to a shortage of potential brides.

Zhang, a city-dweller, explains: "I don't come across many women because of my job."

He added that he joined the dating event as he is also facing mounting pressure from his family to settle down.

He is not alone.

                                                                                                 Single people participate in a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong Province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap
Single people inspect rows of profiles strung up between trees during a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap

'Mass matchmaking events'

More than 100 singles attended a party-backed event in Jinan in China's eastern province of Shandong. Held in a city park, written profiles of guests detailing ages, fields of work and income were strung up between trees.

A master of ceremonies helped to introduce ice-breaking team games as pop music played in the background.

"I feel more secure (with official events)," says engineer Li Changle.

"There are many matchmaking websites, but if you fill in your information, you wind up receiving harassing calls," the 26-year-old adds.

Another participant Xu Feng, 40, concedes he signed up as his family had been "hurrying" him to get married.

"The older I get, the more pressure there is," he says.

In Anhui Province, local officials have turned to technology to connect young people: they have launched a mini program in China's ubiquitous social media platform WeChat.

Registered members can view information like a person's surname, height, company and income.

"If you like someone, you can add them as a friend," explains Communist Youth League representative Li Heng, adding there were "organizational advantages" to its involvement as their notices can reach singles across major companies and industries.

This youth branch of the CCP has in recent years taken on a "key role in sponsoring mass matchmaking events" said Leta Hong Fincher, author of "Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China."

"It's not just the raw birthrate that the government is concerned about," she says, adding that authorities target college-educated women with propaganda to encourage them into the "politically stabilizing institution" of marriage in order to ensure a "higher quality population."

                                                                                                 Single people participate in a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong Province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap
Single people participate in a matchmaking event in Jinan in eastern China's Shandong province, in this Oct. 17, 2021, file photo. AFP-Yonhap

Capping 'bride prices'

Beijing is unwinding decades of strict family planning controls ― announcing last May that couples can have three children ― and rolling out cooling-off periods for divorce to slow separations.

But rural matchmakers told AFP the gender imbalance ― especially stark in the countryside means love and marriage may be out of reach for some.

"Sometimes it's beyond a 10-to-one ratio," says Henan Province matchmaker Quan Baoyong of the higher proportion of men.

Officials are prioritizing the issue but campaigns can backfire. Last year, the county's proposal to urge rural women to stay in their hometowns and marry local bachelors sparked a firestorm of criticism online.

The authorities had to clarify they were not trying to force people to stay.

"If I were in my 20s now... I wouldn't be looking for a wife," says delivery driver Zhao Liang, noting that the process was "very materialistic now" compared to when he was married.

The CCP is targeting "unhealthy" marriage customs by launching pilot reforms to curb "extravagance" such as costly betrothal gifts.

Also known as "bride prices," they are given by the groom's family and in some Henan villages can be as high as 160,000 yuan ($25,034) as the gender imbalance sees families battle for suitable women, according to matchmakers.

Some officials have begun to cap the figure at 66,000 yuan in order to make marriage more affordable in rural areas.

"People want you to have a house and a car, even if there is no betrothal gift. That's at least 500,000 to 600,000 yuan," Zhao says.

"For a rural family, it's not easy." (AFP)
 
LG
  • Korean blockchain operators urged to enhance vigilance against accidents
  • Yoon set to unveil 'audacious plan' for North Korea's denuclearization
  • City goes into festival mode during Seoul Festa
  • More tourists opt to visit Jeju Island by ferry
  • Fears of lengthy COVID-19 resurgence loom large
  • Will Samsung heir be promoted to chairman?
  • Seoul E-Prix thrills racing fans in Korea
  • [INTERVIEW] Korean is one of the 'most popular foreign languages in Kazakhstan': professor
  • Traveling on the Han River in the 19th Century: Part 2
  • Ex-USFK commander rejects China's claims over THAAD
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions
    • Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man
    • [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group