I Thought, "We're Close Friends, So I'll Give 100,000 Won"... But China Is Even Capping Wedding Cash Gifts

Guidelines Capping Wedding Gift Amounts and Banquet Costs
Marriage Subsidies and Travel Rewards Also on the Rise

As the Chinese government actively encourages people of marriageable age to marry and have children in response to a sharp decline in marriage and birth rates, guidelines capping wedding cash gifts have emerged in some areas, drawing attention.

According to China’s First Financial Daily on October 29, households in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, recently received a total of 140,000 yuan (about 28 million won) in childbirth incentives for having a second or third child. Newlyweds also received marriage subsidies and travel rewards.

Guidelines limiting wedding gift amounts have emerged in some parts of China, drawing attention. Photo for illustrative purposes. Pexels.

More Marriage Subsidies and Travel Rewards Being Offered

Three newlywed couples each received a subsidy of 3,888 yuan (about 780,000 won) and a voucher for rice cakes of equivalent value. Couples who met at a matchmaking event held in the village and went on to register their marriage also received an additional travel reward.

Local governments and villages across China have increasingly introduced policies and measures to encourage marriage and childbirth. One area provided newlyweds with 2,500 yuan (about 500,000 won) and gave couples with children 3,000 yuan (about 600,000 won). It also provided childcare subsidies for preschool-age children.

Many other areas have also rolled out measures to encourage marriage. Since last year, Luliang in Shanxi Province has offered 1,500 yuan (about 300,000 won) to women aged 35 or younger who register their marriages. In Fujian Province, couples receive 3,000 yuan if they register their marriage and undergo premarital health screenings. Several other areas, including Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province, also provide consumption vouchers or subsidies to couples who marry.

Guidelines capping wedding cash gifts have emerged in some parts of China, drawing attention. Photo for illustrative purposes. Pexels.

Limits on Bride Prices, Wedding Cash Gifts and Banquet Costs

Specific guidelines have also been introduced to ease the burden of excessive bride prices (caili) and wedding cash gifts. Recently, an area in Guangxi Province set a cap on wedding cash gifts of 100 yuan (about 20,000 won) in rural areas and 200 yuan (about 40,000 won) in urban areas, and also issued guidelines on the size of wedding banquets. Shanxi Province likewise stipulated that wedding cash gifts should not exceed 100 yuan in rural areas or 200 yuan in urban areas. It also recommended reducing or eliminating wedding furnishings and limiting the average cost per guest at wedding banquets to 300 yuan (about 60,000 won) in rural areas and 600 yuan (about 120,000 won) in urban areas.

In Lanzhou, Gansu Province, authorities described their policy as “a plan to eliminate outdated marriage customs and promote modern rural customs,” saying, “Small gifts with great meaning are encouraged, and wedding cash gifts are capped at 100 yuan.” They also advised against competition over wedding cash gifts and recommended that the amount not be tied to how close the giver is to the couple.

“These marriage incentives send an active signal encouraging young people of marriageable age to marry and have children,” said Zhang Quanbao, a professor at the Capital University of Economics and Business. “They help reduce the overall financial burden, from marriage through childbirth, child-rearing and education.”

Meanwhile, statistics released by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs show that 3,928,000 marriages were registered in the first half of this year, a decrease of 498,000, or 12.7%, from the same period last year, when 3,928,000 marriages were registered. This was the lowest figure since 2013 and less than half the 6.94 million marriages registered in the first half of 2014.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.