Chinese authorities, alarmed by the steadily declining number of people getting married, are rolling out unusual new measures to reverse the trend. In an effort to make marriage registration as accessible as possible for young people, local officials are setting up marriage registration counters at unconventional locations such as maternity hospitals, banks, nightclubs, and airports, according to the South China Morning Post.
During the recent Qixi Festival, a maternal and child healthcare hospital in Linzi district, Shandong Province, launched a special marriage registration counter, announcing that couples could visit the hospital and get legally married on the spot. Officials described it as a “one-stop shop” for newlyweds, allowing couples to register their marriage, undergo pre-marital health check-ups, and receive medical advice related to pregnancy — all within the same building.
Such centers are not limited to hospitals alone and have sprung up in various unusual locations nationwide. Last year, a branch of the China Postal Savings Bank in Tianjin made headlines after launching marriage registration services. Guangzhou airport has been issuing marriage certificates at a scenic location on its premises, while a nightclub in Shanghai held wedding ceremonies as part of a music festival. Authorities have also set up registry counters at metro stations, parks, and historic temples.
The primary reason behind this push is the severe demographic crisis facing China. A sharply falling birth rate and a shrinking young workforce are taking a toll on the country’s economy, prompting authorities to encourage young people to marry early and start families. While simplifying the marriage registration process led to a temporary rise in marriages last year, registrations fell again by 7.5% in the first half of this year.
The authorities’ unconventional measures have drawn heavy criticism and mockery on social media. “Are young people really refraining from marriage just because they can’t find a proper venue?” one netizen asked, while another quipped, “The civil affairs department might as well set up divorce centers atop Mount Everest.” The remarks have since gone viral online.