Shanghai, China – After seven years of dating, music teachers Huang Zhen Hui and Liang Ren Jia married in Shanghai last November, a decision they say affirmed a desire for belonging amid evolving social norms in China. The couple’s nuptials come as Chinese authorities intensify efforts to encourage marriage and childbirth, responding to concerns about the country’s declining birth rate and aging population.
Huang, originally from Shandong province, and Liang, from Zhejiang province, initially worried about potential familial objections due to the distance separating their hometowns. However, both families ultimately offered their support, allowing the couple to proceed with their wedding plans in Shanghai, following the removal of a previous rule requiring couples to register marriages in their places of origin.
“Marriage gives both of us something to look forward to in life,” Huang told CNA, reflecting a sentiment that counters a growing trend among young Chinese who are delaying or forgoing marriage. “Many young people nowadays just date casually; if one doesn’t work out, they move on to the next. But deep down, everyone craves a sense of belonging, and perhaps marriage is where that belonging lies.”
The couple’s experience unfolds against a backdrop of new incentives rolled out by Chinese authorities to boost marriage and birth rates. These measures are a response to shifting social attitudes and economic pressures that are contributing to a decline in both marriage and fertility rates. The challenges facing China’s demographic future are significant, prompting a multifaceted approach from the government to address the issue.
Huang Zhen Hui and Liang Ren Jia established their own music school in Shanghai in the past year, adding another layer of fulfillment to a period of personal and professional growth. Their story highlights the complexities faced by young couples navigating both personal aspirations and societal expectations in a rapidly changing China.
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