In a collaboration between the Civil Affairs Bureau of Huangpu District in Shanghai and a large nightclub, a new initiative has been launched to facilitate couples registering for marriage. The news of “Shanghai nightclub offering on-site marriage registration” has sparked discussions and critiques, with some netizens suggesting that local authorities are resorting to unconventional methods to boost the marriage rate. There were even jokes circulating online about suggesting hotel reception desks to offer quick check-ins for marriage and express check-outs for divorce.
In mainland China, the marriage rate has been persistently low, leading both the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the Communist Party and local civil affairs bureaus to continuously introduce various measures to promote marriage.
According to official sources from Huangpu District in Shanghai, starting from November 14th, the Civil Affairs Bureau of Huangpu District has teamed up with INS New Paradise to launch a four-day nighttime marriage certification experience project and “Harmony & Family” marriage and family counseling service.
INS New Paradise, located within the Fuxing Park in Huangpu District, is a commercial complex that includes the nighttime economy and is one of the popular places for the trendy crowd in Shanghai to gather in the evenings.
The district authorities in Huangpu introduced that couples can make reservations through the official WeChat public account of the Huangpu Civil Affairs Bureau or the official platform of INS New Paradise starting from the opening of the reservation channel on November 3rd. “Daily reservation slots are limited, new couples are advised to make reservations in advance.” This nighttime marriage certification experience activity aims to break traditional time and space constraints and boost the “nighttime economy” in Huangpu.
As per the information from INS New Paradise, this public service event is mainly targeted at two categories of new couples:
1. Couples who have already booked to receive marriage certificates at the Marriage Registration Center in Huangpu District and have successfully reserved to receive the certificate on November 14th, 15th, 21st, or 22nd in Huangpu District, will have their official certification ceremony relocated to the “Oasis” ceremony hall at INS New Paradise, officiated by a senior certification officer from the Civil Affairs Bureau.
2. Couples planning to register for marriage within Huangpu District in 2025 can make on-site marriage registration appointments at INS New Paradise.
Following the release of this information, the topic of “Shanghai nightclub offering on-site marriage registration” trended on Weibo, sparking discussions among netizens: “Marriage can be impulsive, but divorce must be rational.” “Quick marriage leads to a quick entry into the calm period of divorce.” “It’s strange not to get sick from drinking water in the toilet.”
Some netizens aptly pointed out, “They are truly resorting to all means to boost the marriage rate. If people are getting married haphazardly due to the low marriage rate, won’t the divorce rate also increase?”
In response to this, the staff of the Marriage Registration Office of Huangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau stated that new couples must obtain their certificates from the Huangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau, not from INS New Paradise. They can choose voluntarily whether to visit INS New Paradise after receiving the certificate.
The number of marriages in China has been declining for nine consecutive years. Data shows that in the first half of 2024, there were 3.43 million couples who received certificates, hitting a new low since 1986. In 2023, a total of 6.833 million couples obtained marriage certificates.
With the current downward trend in the Chinese economy, many young mainlanders view marriage, childbirth, loans for buying homes and cars as debts, essentially overextending their future. Consequently, many young people have chosen to opt out of marriage and parenthood, contributing to a phenomenon known as “lying flat.”
Former Chief Editor of the official Chinese media outlet “Global Times,” Hu Xijin, expressed his helplessness towards the collaboration between Huangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau and a large nightclub. He acknowledged that the concerns about marriage among many young people in major cities reflect their lack of certainty about the future and confidence in starting a family…
(To continue, please let me know if you need more content.)