A planned reform to simplify marriages and make divorces harder is causing heated debate in China. Under the draft new marriage rules, couples would only have to show their IDs. They would also have to sign a statement confirming that they are not related or already married to someone else.
However, it is no longer necessary to submit formal residence registration (Hukou). This makes it easier for couples to get married at a location of their choice instead of in the cities where they are registered. A new 30-day reflection period will apply to divorces in the future, during which the application can be withdrawn by either partner.
Multiple marriages and identity fraud now easier?
While state media praised the planned changes, users on social media vented their anger. Concerns were raised about secret multiple marriages and identity fraud. There was also criticism of the cooling-off period, which allowed an unwilling partner to stop the application at any time.
A commentator on the social network Weibo spoke of a “trap”: it was easy to get married, but there was no way out. The draft of the new marriage regulations is open for public discussion until September 11.
Only half as many weddings as ten years ago
The state news agency Xinhua reported that the number of marriages in China has halved in the past decade. In the first half of this year, 3.43 million couples registered, which is only half the number in the same period in 2014.
Experts attributed the decline to a shrinking marriageable population, changing attitudes toward marriage and financial worries, Xinhua reported, with more young people deciding to postpone marriage.
Source: Krone
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