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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Why Chinese men are queuing up to marry women from Pakistan and Bangladesh, and why China is worried
A growing trend of Chinese men marrying women from countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh is raising concerns about human trafficking. While these unions may appear to be cross-cultural relationships, evidence suggests many are linked to criminal activities. Why is this happening? China faces a significant shortage of women of marriageable age due to the long-term effects of its one-child policy. This policy, in place from 1979 to 2015, led to a preference for sons, creating a demographic imbalance. Now, over 35 million Chinese men are without local partners, and this number is expected to rise. Who is affected? Desperate to find wives, many Chinese men are turning to websites and matchmaking services to find brides abroad, particularly in poorer countries. Some pay large sums to arrange these marriages. According to Ding Changfa, a professor from Xiamen University quoted by South China Morning Post: 'In rural China, we have approximately 34.9 million 'leftover men' who might face the marriage pressures of providing housing, cars, and bride price totalling between 500,000 and 600,000 yuan. Last year, the average disposable income per capita in rural areas across China was just over 20,000 yuan.' How does trafficking occur? Women from low-income communities are often lured with promises of genuine marriage and a better life. However, they find themselves trapped by criminal gangs. The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has warned citizens against using illegal matchmaking agencies and "buying a foreign wife." Despite laws against deceptive cross-border matchmaking, underground agents continue to operate. Where are these scams happening? Similar issues have been reported in Pakistan, where illegal marriage centers deceive Christian families. Chinese men are presented as wealthy converts, but many women are forced into prostitution or illegal organ trade after arriving in China. Illegal agents produce fake documents to disguise Chinese men as suitable matches. Live Events What are the governments doing? Government responses have been cautious. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad stated on May 12, 2019, 'There is no evidence of forced prostitution or organ trade involving Pakistani women in China,' but acknowledged illegal matchmaking operations. This comes as China and Pakistan are involved in the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which has brought thousands of Chinese workers to Pakistan, potentially facilitating illegal matchmaking. What are the challenges? Legal gaps and slow legal action hinder efforts to combat trafficking. Chinese citizens can easily obtain visas on arrival in Pakistan, while Pakistanis face strict visa processes to enter China, making it easier for traffickers to operate. What is the impact? Victims are isolated by language, culture, and lack of legal protection. Some in China have suggested lowering the legal marriage age to address the problem. Chen Songxi, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, proposed reducing the age from 22 for men and 20 for women to 18 years.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
China warns its leftover men against ‘buying foreign wives'
The Chinese government has warned its citizens in Bangladesh against "buying a foreign wife" amid growing reports of marriage scams and human trafficking in the South Asian country. The Chinese embassy in Dhaka late on Sunday urged Chinese citizens not to be 'misled' by posts on social media offering quick marriages abroad. The embassy stated that, according to Chinese law, no marriage agency was allowed to offer international matchmaking services, while citizens were barred from hiding such activities through deception or for profit. Chinese citizens were advised to stay away from commercial cross-border marriage agencies and remain vigilant against online romance scams to avoid both financial and personal losses, the embassy added. China has a reported surplus of 35 million men who are unable to find brides in part due to the Chinese government's three-decade-long one-child policy, which pushed families to prefer male children. Girls were either selectively aborted or abandoned. China has also witnessed a steep decline in marriages, with 6.1 million marriage registrations nationwide in 2024, compared to 7.7 million the previous year. The decline is mostly driven by factors such as increased economic pressures, rising cost of living, and Chinese women pushing back against patriarchal gender expectations. There are growing reports that a generation of so-called "leftover men" (shengnan shidai in Chinese) are looking towards Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh and other nations to "purchase" brides. The growing demand for these brides has fuelled human trafficking, with children and women from South and Southeast Asian countries being smuggled into China. Bangladeshi women are among those who have been allegedly being sold in China by criminal gangs under the pretext of marriage, according to a Daily Star report. The embassy warned that those involved in illegal cross-border marriages in Bangladesh may face arrest on suspicion of trafficking. Ding Changfa, an associate professor from the School of Economics at Xiamen University, faced backlash after suggesting that men in China could consider marrying women from Russia, Vietnam and Pakistan to end the marriage crisis. 'In rural China, we have approximately 34.9 million 'leftover men' who might face the marriage pressures of providing housing, cars, and bride price totalling between 500,000 yuan (£51,100) and 600,000 yuan (£61,400)," he was quoted by the South China Morning Post as saying. 'Last year [2023], the average disposable income per capita in rural areas across China was just over 20,000 yuan (£2,000). Solving this issue could involve attracting a significant number of eligible young women from overseas,' he added. Pakistan has been at the heart of the trafficking ring, where parents in poor Christian families were being pressured to offer up their daughters to Chinese men, according to reports. Human Rights Watch in a 2019 report said women were trafficked to China through 'a porous border and lack of response by law enforcement agencies on both sides [has] created an environment in which traffickers flourish.' The group called on China and Pakistan to act in the face of 'increasing evidence that Pakistani women and girls are at risk of sexual slavery in China'.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
China's 35 million leftover men are hunting for brides in Russia, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh and Pakistan
China's one-child policy ran for decades starting 1979 and its effects are being felt even now, almost 10 years after it was scrapped in 2015. One of the most telling aspects of the diktat has been the large number of male children born during the one-child policy decades. It is now leading to a shortage of brides as the boys are all grown up and looking to get married. But the massive problem staring them in the face - lack of women of marriageable age. Over 35 million men (called shengnan shidai in Chinese, loosely translated as leftover men) are looking for brides but are unable to find one in their country. The large number of men is due to the fact that for over three-and-a-half decades parents wanted only sons due to the one-child norm in force. The number is likely to go up to 50 million unmarried Chinese men who are unable to find a woman in the next couple of decades. In desperation many Chinese men are looking at online portals to find a soulmate while others are heading to foreign lands to get married. A vast number of Chinese men are also "buying brides" in foreign countries like Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South-East Asian nations. Many are also using the online route to get hold of a bribe by paying hefty amounts. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Baca Undo Also Read: Filipino music icon Freddie Aguilar dies at 72, leaves behind a legacy that touched the world The above two developments has also led to a flourishing trade in human trafficking, raising the hackles of international agencies too. Live Events China warns against buying brides Recently, the Chinese government issued a warning to its citizens in Bangladesh against buying a "foreign wife" for marriage. With several social media post claiming to arrange for a bride for Chinese men, the country's embassy in Dhaka cautioned its citizens against falling for the trap, reported Bangladesh's Daily Star. The embassy warned that international matchmaking services are illegal under Chinese law and its citizens cannot indulge in such activities or hide it from the law enforcement agencies back in China. The report also highlighted that Bangladeshi girls and women were being smuggled into China by criminal gangs for marriage. What has changed in China In recent years, the traditional Chinese society has witnessed a lot of changes with the women joining the work force in large numbers and delaying their marriage. Higher levels of education Financial and economic pressures are also acting as a force against marriage. China registered 6.1 million marriages in 2024, a huge fall from the 7.7 million a year back in 2023. A controversial statement by a Xiamen University's School of Economics professor where he implored unmarried men to look for brides from other countries like Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Pakistan sparked an uproar. Also Read: What's wrong with China economy? Moody's maintains 'negative' rating for world's second largest economy 'In rural China, we have approximately 34.9 million 'leftover men' who might face the marriage pressures of providing housing, cars, and bride price totalling between 500,000 and 600,000 yuan (US$70,000 and US$84,000). Last year, the average disposable income per capita in rural areas across China was just over 20,000 yuan (US$2,800). Solving this issue could involve attracting a significant number of eligible young women from overseas,' associate professor Ding Changfa was quoted by the South China Morning Post. Poor Christian families in Pakistan, too, are being forced to sell their daughters to criminal gangs who them smuggle them to China for marriage. Many Chinese men are looking at Russia to get a bride. The interesting factor behind heading to Russia is that the country has more women while China is surplus with men. The current legal age for marriage in China is 22 years for men and 20 for women but there have been calls to lower it to 18 to tide over the crisis of missing brides. One prominent voice who has advocated for lowering the age for marriage is Chen Songxi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
'Foreign Wives' For Sale? Chinese Embassy Warns Against Marriage Scams In Bangladesh
The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh has warned its citizens to exercise caution when engaging in cross-border relationships or marriages. In a social media post, the embassy advised Chinese nationals to avoid illegal matchmaking agencies and be cautious of cross-border dating content on short video platforms. It urged individuals to steer clear of illegal marriages, warning that those involved risk being arrested for human trafficking, a charge that can trigger lengthy judicial proceedings. The embassy's message emphasises the importance of following the law and being aware of potential risks when engaging in foreign-related relationships or marriages, cautioning against losing both money and personal freedom. The Chinese embassy's warning comes amid rising concerns about bride trafficking in China. The country's declining marriage rates, largely due to the legacy of the one-child policy and a cultural preference for sons, have led to a significant imbalance in the marriage market. With at least 30 million Chinese men unable to find a spouse, often referred to as "leftover men," the demand for "foreign wives" has surged. According to reports, this demand has led to the trafficking of women from countries like Bangladesh, who are lured under false pretences such as marriage, lucrative jobs, or education opportunities, only to be forced into marriages with Chinese nationals and smuggled into China by criminal gangs. Other than Bangladesh, countries such as Vietnam and Laos have also long been sources of foreign brides. Some agencies have been known to scam prospective clients, taking their money without delivering a bride. For instance, a report by The Beijing News highlighted social media posts offering Laotian women for marriage at prices as high as 200,000 yuan ($28,000). These advertisements often turn out to be fraudulent. In a notable case, a court in Shandong province convicted two men of human trafficking for running an illegal cross-border marriage agency that scammed clients out of hundreds of thousands of yuan. One Chinese man lost 100,000 yuan after travelling to Pakistan for three months without finding a bride. In another case, a Pakistani woman who was sold by matchmakers reported the agents and the Chinese man involved to the police, leading to their detention for human trafficking. The idea of importing foreign brides has sparked controversy, particularly after a Xiamen University professor suggested it as a solution to China's marriage decline and sex imbalance. Critics strongly opposed the idea, warning it would promote human trafficking and exploitation.
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
We need a culture shift if Kiwis are to follow the Government down the EV road
As this newspaper highlighted earlier this month, there is an inconvenient truth to EVs. A study by researchers from the University of Auckland and Xiamen University in China showed EV adoption globally is likely doing more harm than good when it comes to CO2 emissions. However, what it also showed was that, because of our renewable energy supply, we are better positioned than most to take advantage of the benefits of EVs. If, of course, we have the infrastructure to match. So it would seem Bishop and the Government are now tackling this problem. Bishop said we have fewer public chargers per EV than many other countries in the OECD and he argued this was a barrier to Kiwis purchasing EVs. Last year, we saw EV sales in New Zealand plummet, with motor industry expects suggesting it will be years before a rebound. Another barrier, which Bishop must be aware of, is our culture. We are a nation that loves trucks. Last year, New Zealand's top-selling vehicles were the Ford Ranger, Toyota Rav4 and Toyota Hilux. Most of us don't need a more than two-tonne ute to get around in – but that doesn't stop us buying them. In fact, the Suzuki Swift, in eighth place, was the only vehicle in the top 10 new registrations for 2024 to not be approaching the size of a Sherman tank. Yes, there are some EV utes. But not enough to dent the diesel and petrol market share. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said yesterday that EVs make sense for New Zealand. 'With our bountiful renewable energy resources, EVs are a winner for New Zealand. Kiwis charging their EVs are essentially filling their cars with predominantly water, wind and geothermal energy – rather than fossil fuels – due to our high level of renewable energy," he said. Watts is right. It does make sense here. New Zealand has more than 80% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. He also said there are real benefits to owning an EV, including helping to keep running costs low – a pitch towards the cost-of-living struggles many face. Bishop, meanwhile, said the cost of building EV chargers around the country could vary wildly and may often require upgrading nearby electricity infrastructure. There will also need to be improvements to the electricity network to handle the anticipated additional demands. The Government wants us to join them on the EV road – it will be interesting to see if Kiwis alter their mindset and follow. Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
