China's ever-expanding divorce rate has nurtured the growth of a whole industry claiming to specialize in the business of breaking up.

 

In fact, the market for divorce services is so good that the Shanghai Weiqing Marriage Consulting Company, widely known as China's first "divorce company", opened its 28th franchise outlet on January 7 in Hangzhou.

 

"During our first week, we received 40 calls from people seeking counselling," said Li Peixiang, general manager and marriage analyst at the Hangzhou outlet.

 

As of Monday, six clients had signed contracts with the new branch office to secure counselling services.

 

Most of the clients said they were on the verge of divorce and looking for help to win the biggest possible share of the property in the divorce settlement.

 

Though the company has built its reputation helping people part ways, Li said she wanted people to think of her company as a relationship consulting company, rather than a "divorce company".

 

"We also provide psychological counseling to people who find themselves caught in a web of friendship, love and unhappiness," Li said.

 

Marriage crises

 

She added that Hangzhou Weiqing's counselors were focused on helping their clients end their marriage crises, which is one of the principles that Shanghai Weiqing asks its 28 franchise outlets to uphold.

 

Li said her company employs a team of professionals that includes marriage analysts, psychologists and lawyers, all with appropriate licenses.

 

After a face-to-face interview with their clients, the consultants assess the client's marriage. If they feel the marriage is hopeless, they may encourage divorce. If not, they will develop ways to save the marriage.

 

"Divorce is the last resort so long as there is a possibility of reconciliation," Li said.

 

Su Xin, chairman of Shanghai Weiqing struck a similar note.

 

"By the end of 2006, our company had helped more than 2,700 couples reconcile and 300 divorce peacefully," Su said.

 

Weiqing charges by the hour 200 yuan ($24.6) per hour for an assessment, and 300 yuan ($37) for legal aid in cases involving divorce proceedings.

 

Su started the company in March 2004, and its annual revenue increased fourfold last year compared to the previous year, Su told the Hangzhou-based Today Morning Post.

 

Franchised outlets have opened in many big cities across the country in the years since the company's launch. Li opened the Hangzhou branch after undergoing a year's worth of training as a psychologist in Shanghai. She also paid the company over 100,000 yuan ($12,300) in franchising fees.

 

Divorce is common

 

"Divorce is now as common as marriage," Su said. "That's why our business has flourished."

 

According to statistics released recently by Shanghai Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, last year was a big year for divorce, with more than 37,000 couples, about 22 percent more, separating. The number of divorced people younger than 35 in Hangzhou increased by 30 percent in 2005 compared with the previous year.

 

Liu Yong, a university teacher in Shanghai, entrusted his divorce to a specialist company.

 

"Sometimes people are more apt to expose their inner thoughts to a stranger than to friends and relatives," he said.

 

(China Daily January 17, 2007)