Yang Shuo and Wang Shuhua had a special day yesterday. The young
couple was joined in matrimony, and became the first to take part
in a new mandatory wedding ceremony under a new marriage law in
Shanghai.
In
the past, Chinese weddings essentially had two parts: an official
process that included health checks and the issuing of a marriage
certificate that showed a couple was legally married, and a banquet
celebration that most people considered the true wedding.
Beginning in December, couples will have to go through a ceremony
presided over by government officials before they are considered
legally married.
Getting a jump on the official start was Wang, who appeared
beautiful, and her soulmate, Yang. They stepped onto a stage in the
Everbright Hotel, where a local official asked if they were getting
married on their own accord, if they agreed to treat each other as
equals, and if they would take care of each other as well as their
parents-in-law - forever.
"Yes," they answered to all the questions.
Since Yang is from
Hong Kong, they were not asked if they would abide by the
mainland's one-child policy, a question that will be asked of all
local couples.
As
the 10-minute ceremony came to a close, Yang and Wang smiled as
they received a marriage certificate from Vice Mayor Feng Guoqin,
who was invited to take part in the first ceremony.
"Marriage is holy for us. We made reservations last week for this
ceremony because we believe it would make our marriage more
sacred," said Wang, explaining why they wanted to take part in the
ceremony, which is optional until December 1.
Anyone from overseas who wants to marry a local resident will have
to get married at an office in the Everbright Hotel, while local
couples can choose from 19 offices around the city.
Yesterday's ceremony was held in a room lined with a red velvet
curtain and decorated with China's national emblem and a red
Chinese character xi, which means double happiness, a traditional
Chinese wish for a happy marriage.
A
small section in front of the stage was reserved for family and
friends.
"We hope newlyweds will know more about the rights and duties they
have in marriage," said Xie Lingli, deputy director of the city
Civil Affairs Bureau, explaining the reason-ing behind the new
law.
There are no additional charges for the basic ceremony, but
couples, if they wish, can pay for a more elaborate service.
The ceremony is in Chinese, but English and Japanese speakers can
get written instructions in their languages.
(eastday.com
09/18/2001)