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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) — Next Friday, as dusk falls on Shanghai's Fuxing Park, rich in history and culture, the vibrant energy of INS Land, an immersive amusement park, will take on a whole new meaning.
The sprawling entertainment complex, usually filled with the buzz of eSports and music, will soon host vow exchanges as part of the local government's innovative initiative to transform marriage ceremonies into the city's nightlife hub.
This new collaboration between the Huangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau and one of the city's trendiest lifestyle hubs is the latest attempt to refocus public services on the younger generation, turning marriage registration into the beginning of a great romantic story rather than the end of a grueling process.
As China faces a steady decline in marriage rates, the state is ditching bureaucratic standards in favor of atmospheric ceremonies and moments worthy of sharing on the social media platform WeChat, in an attempt to integrate marriage into the vibrant night-time economy.
On Friday and Saturday evenings from November 14th to 22nd, temporary marriage registration stations will be set up at INS Land. A dedicated "concierge" will guide couples through the registration process, they will receive a personalized marriage certificate during a themed visual and musical performance, and then celebrate with family and friends in a designated location.
All this is done to create unforgettable romantic memories.
However, behind all this charm lies a serious national strategy. In 2024, the number of registered marriages in China fell by 20.5 percent, continuing a long-term decline. However, something has recently changed. In the first half of 2025, the number of couples tying the knot increased by 109,000 compared to the same period last year—a modest but significant increase.
Key to this is a significant change in marriage registration policy across the country. Couples are no longer required to obtain a certificate from their hometown or present a residence permit, known as a hukou. Now, an ID card is sufficient, making the process as flexible as the lives of many young Chinese today.
"The new system overcomes the limitations of residence registration and geographic boundaries," said Jin Lihui, director of the Marriage Administration Department of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. "It provides comprehensive coverage of applicants, service types, and locations."
Experts view this change as more than just an administrative one. Li Mingshun, a professor at China Women's University and vice chair of the China Association for the Study of Marriage and Family, sees it as a significant transformation of marriage registration—from an administrative function to a service provider. "This strengthens marriage as a personal civil right," he said.
This shift in attitudes is noticeable across the country. In the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang, local authorities are offering newlyweds "wedding red envelopes" or consumer vouchers. In Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province in northeastern China, city-sponsored group weddings encourage culturally significant yet modest ceremonies. In Beijing, a one-stop service center in the bustling Dashilan shopping district in the historic Qianmen district has reduced the entire marriage registration process to just 10 minutes.
Yet, perhaps nowhere is this rethinking of the "marital situation" more evident than in Huangpu District. This Shanghai neighborhood has transformed marriage registration into a kind of engaging experience. Previous initiatives have included a themed marriage registration website created in collaboration with the renowned jewelry brand Lao Feng Xiang, and a special nighttime certificate presentation ceremony during the Qixi Festival, held near the centuries-old Yuyuan Garden.
And this June, the district upped the ante: Every Saturday night, three lucky couples are chosen to participate in a personalized drone show over the Huangpu River, where they can watch their names light up the sky.
The transition to a "sweet economy" represents a strategic alliance between local governments and private enterprises. By holding marriage registrations in scenic locations, at music festivals, and in complexes like INS Land, the state is effectively leveraging the cultural capital of private brands to reconnect with young people.
INS Land, a seven-story complex billing itself as a "universal cultural center for the new generation," fits seamlessly into this vision. From club spaces to residential buildings, all its facilities create an attractive backdrop away from the bright lights of public buildings.
As China's population continues to shrink and age, and young Chinese delay or forgo marriage altogether, citing either financial hardship or changing values, the country is responding not with persuasive campaigns but with convenience and aesthetic appeal.
The revival of marriage registration reflects a broader understanding of how China is re-engaging with its youth: through innovations in public services and a genuine response to their changing lifestyles and aspirations. This approach is pragmatic, personal, and deeply embedded in consumer culture.
For the couples posing for selfies next week as the lights dance around them, the event will be less a civic duty than a milestone – memorable, shareable, and theirs alone.
The youth-focused transformation of China's public services shows no signs of slowing, and marriage registration is likely to take on increasingly sophisticated forms. As cities learn to express the meaning of marriage in language that resonates with young people, marriage registration, once dreaded as a formal visit to the civil affairs bureau, may regain—and expand—its former charm. -0-
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