BEIJING: In the ongoing campaign against the escalating bride prices prevailing in rural China, a policy adviser from Jiangxi province has advocated for 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 fulfillment 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 percent of the dowry is common, with some going as high as 15 percent. Additionally, the “fixed amount” mentioned can vary from 10,000 yuan ($1,400) to as much as 80,000 to 90,000 yuan.
Lan warned that professional matchmakers may intentionally inflate dowry expectations to maximize 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 jewelry, to the bride’s family as a prerequisite for marriage.
Especially 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, last year, 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, only for the story to be revealed as fake. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
