Divorce process should be more complex: NPC member
- Source: Global Times
- [14:33 March 10 2010]
- Comments
Hei Xinwen
National People's Congress deputy Hei Xinwen proposed making the process of divorce more complicated to reduce divorce rate on Tuesday at the ongoing NPC sessions.
Hei, vice-director of the finance department at XiJi Technology Corp., said there are a growing number of quickie divorce cases in China, and the simplified divorce process contributed to the high divorce rate. She suggested revamping the Marriage Registration Administration Ordinances so that both parties had to agree to a reconciliation agreement from their work units or local residents committees as a necessary part during the process.
She believes the main reasons for China's high divorce rate include: firstly, China going through major social transformation where the changes shock a stable society and people face more pressure and temptations. Secondly, with the rise of living standards, people expect more than ever before in marriage, unable to tolerate hardships that were acceptable in the past. Finally, the simplified divorce process makes it easier for couples to split up without trying to work things out.
Colleagues and neighbors can play a vital role in mediating conflicts between couples, Hei says. This is why she wants to help couples delay divorce and save their marriages.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs registered 1.713 million divorce cases in 2009, 10 percent higher than in 2008.
