Suspension of divorce registration on China's Valentine's Day sparks debate on Internet

By Huang Jin (People's Daily Online) 08:25, August 20, 2015

(File Photo)

Considering the possible marriage peak on China's Valentine's Day, a civil affairs bureau in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian province announced that it will only accept domestic marriage registration and suspend divorce registration on the day. The decision has sparked hot debate on the Internet.

The Qixi Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that celebrates the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl in Chinese mythology. It falls on Aug.20 this year. Qixi Festival is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Some netizens think it's a right and romantic decision from the administration department. It won't hurt much to let the divorcing couples to wait for a few days before the registration. At the same time, it offers a chance for people to cool down and revise the decision.

While other netizens say that's an abuse of power. The right to freedom of marriage and divorce should not be affected by any reason.

According to a survey made in a district civil affairs bureau in 2013, on the day of Qixi Festival, both the registrations of marriage and divorce doubled. A man came for divorce on the day said: "To choose to divorce on Qixi is to leave some 'sweet regrets'."

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