Steep price for the ultimate prize: Efforts have been made across China to advance new marriage customs, amid escalating bride prices in the rural areas. — The Straits Times/ANN
IN the ongoing campaign against the escalating bride prices prevailing in rural China, a policy adviser from Jiangxi province has advocated a solution: introducing a certification system for rural matchmakers.
Lan Wen, a member of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that despite the popularity of online dating apps, many unmarried youths in rural China still rely on traditional matchmakers.
She attributed the reliance to factors such as economic conditions, education levels, marital perspectives and adherence to traditional customs.
“In a way, rural matchmakers have facilitated the fulfilment of marriage dreams for many unmarried individuals,” said Lan.
Rural matchmakers commonly earn commissions based on a percentage or fixed amount of the dowry.
Lan’s proposal during the provincial two sessions last week indicated that charging matchmaking fees ranging from 3% to 5% of the dowry is common, with some going as high as 15%.
Lan warned that professional matchmakers may intentionally inflate dowry expectations to maximise profits, potentially contributing to excessive dowry prices.
The practice of bride prices is widespread in China, where the groom provides money or other gifts, such as gold or jewellery, to the bride’s family as a prerequisite for marriage.
In recent years, few topics in China have generated as much debate and sensational headlines as the exorbitant bride prices found in some rural areas.
For instance, in 2023, an article with the headline “Jiangxi woman demands 18.88 million yuan bride price from her Shanghai boyfriend” soared atop trending lists on multiple social media platforms.
However, the story was later revealed to be fake.
To address this, Lan proposed the establishment of matchmaker associations at the county and township levels, where rural professional matchmakers can register and undergo training.
In addition, she emphasised that strict supervision and law enforcement are essential in combating improper profiteering in the matchmaking industry. — China Daily/ANN
