Amid worries over gender imbalance in the world’s most populous country, a Beijing supermarket is helping unwed Chinese to find their marriage partners.
“The love supermarket was not created to satisfy a holiday need,” Gao Shan, the market’s manager, told Reuters on Tuesday, February 9.
“It was created so that singles can have the opportunity to leave behind their single life.”
Launched in November, the “I’m Looking for You” supermarket offers young Chinese the opportunity to find their soul-mates.
Members list their basic info, such as name, age, income and occupation, along with a picture, and this profile is available for others to view.
They are also asked what they would like in a partner.
The market has attracted more than 1,000 clients and successfully matched more than 50 couples.
The move comes amid growing worries over gender imbalance in the world’s most populous country.
State media estimates that more than 24 million Chinese men of marrying age could find themselves without spouses in 2020.
A government-backed study blames the imbalance on the one-child policy, which pushes many Chinese to seek baby boys rather than girls.
China is the world’s most populous country, with 1.3 billion population.
MatchmakingQu Hui, a 25-year-old teacher, has signed up to the market to find her soul-mate.
“I wish I could find my better half, that is my greatest hope,” he said.
“But if that doesn’t happen, I hope I can use this place to meet more friends. After all.”
Many single Chinese complain that hectic work and school schedules in the highly competitive society leave them with little time to socialise.
“I am a teacher, so the people that I can meet and socialise with are very limited,” said Qu.
Some clients went to the marriage supermarket under family pressures.
“My ideal woman would be someone who I can get along with, who is kind-hearted, and who is responsible,” said government employee Wang Jiaohong.
“My mother says that the reason why I haven’t found her yet is because I’m too picky,” said the 35-year-old.
“But in reality, I believe it’s because I just haven’t yet found my match. There are however some outstanding women here.”
bron: www.islamonline.net [9-2-2010]
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