The Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) is soliciting public opinion on the draft of newly revised marriage registration regulations. Currently, individuals are required to present their household registration book, called hukouben, usually held by their family, in order to get married. Under the new draft, couples will need only their national identification cards and a signed declaration stating that they are not currently married or closely related. The MCA has clarified that the proposed changes are meant to eliminate the requirement for people to register marriages in places where their hukouben is issued, making the process more convenient for the country's large migrant population.

The new draft, however, has ignited heated debate online about marriage freedom. Some believe the changes are a big step forward, as no longer needing to ask their family for the hukouben reduces the level of control a family can exert on an individual's marriage choices. However, others have expressed concerns the relaxed procedure will lead to reckless marriages, an increased risk of domestic violence and marital instability.

Zhang Shiwei (ThePaper.cn): The new policy will not only improve efficiency, but also grant people more autonomy. Although freedom of marriage was first set out in the 1950 Marriage Law, it's undeniable that requiring marrying couples to present their respective hukouben makes it much easier for families to interfere. Specifically, if an individual's hukouben is held by their parents, he or she will be unable to marry if the parents oppose the marriage. The reverse is also possible, with adult children able to obstruct the remarriage of a parent by seizing the hukouben. With the new draft, at least hukouben will pose no obstacles to marriage freedom.

Reducing the leverage held by parents is also expected to curb eye-watering bride prices in some regions.

Some worry that being able to marry without seeking parental advice will lead to naïve young people marrying recklessly. This worry reflects an entrenched idea that young people's marriage must be first checked and approved by their families. This is an outdated tradition that the new draft means to shatter. The almost total removal of obstacles to marriage and the handing over of power to individuals remind those ready to tie the knot that everyone must take responsibility for their own choices.

We shouldn't expect the new draft to swiftly induce more people into marriage. So far, the biggest takeaway from the draft is that, ultimately, marriage is a personal matter, and it should be pure and simple, built on the mutual affection of two people, without being overly influenced by other factors.

Regarding the concern the new policy will lead to an increase in bigamy, the MCA announced in 2012 that the national network of marriage registration information was already in place.

Wu Wenxin (Rednet.cn): The new changes will bring expediency to the marriage process. They will help those couples who can't get married because of family obstruction to enter marriage. However, the government aims to increase the fertility rate in China and the key to doing so is to help relieve young people of their difficulties. Low marriage and fertility rates are primarily the result of economic burdens, rather than problems related to hukouben.

Additionally, the government needs to introduce and amend laws directly targeting problems within marriages, such as excessive bride prices, marital fraud and domestic violence. Parents and schools should also educate children about viewing marriage rationally to avoid associated problems when they grow up.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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