Party tells women to settle for ‘OK’ men

CHINA: Young Chinese women have been urged to lower their sights in marriage and settle for a ‘‘more or less OK’’ partner rather than holding out for a soulmate.

The recommendation in state media is part of an official effort to increase the birth rate amid concern about a rapidly ageing population.

‘‘Marriage is a process of tolerating each other, and it’s impossible that everything goes your way,’’ said an editorial which first appeared in the regional Communist Party-run newspaper

and has since been distributed by the more influential

‘‘Change your attitude, return to the reality. Maybe there’ll be some imperfection, but your life will be full for it.’’

The government wants people anchored by family, and sees China’s low birth rate as a potential source of instability. Young women are being blamed for being too fussy about marriage partners.

Although educated and economically independent, Chinese women are sometimes referred to as ‘‘leftovers’’ if they have not married by their late 20s. They have plenty of men to choose from because China’s one-child policy, which was in effect until late 2015, has left the country with a gender imbalance that will result in 30 million bachelors over the coming three decades.

Marriage rates are declining, with the number of weddings down 6.7 per cent in 2016. The number of births fell by 630,000 in 2017, despite a relaxation of the rules which has allowed couples to have two children without being penalised. Beijing is concerned that this could turn into a labour shortage in the future and create difficulties in supporting a growing elderly population.