Chinese It is grappling with a significant demographic challenge characterized by approximately 35 million so-called “surplus men.” This issue gained attention following a controversial proposal by an associate professor at Xiamen University who suggested promoting international marriages as a potential solution. His comments sparked widespread debate and outrage online, as reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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root of the problem

The roots of the demographic imbalance can be traced back to the country’s decades-long one-child policy, which skewed gender ratios and resulted in males outnumbering females by approximately 34.9 million, according to the Seventh National Census conducted in 2020. The China Rural Research Institute of Central China Normal University shed light on the increasing difficulties young rural men face in finding spouses. High bride prices and the increasing recognition of traditional marriage have been identified as significant obstacles in this ongoing crisis.

International marriages are on the rise

Professor Ding Changfa’s suggestion to make international marriages easier includes encouraging men to consider partners from countries such as Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan. He explained: “There are approximately 34.9 million ‘surplus men’ in rural China who face pressure to provide housing, cars and bride prices ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 yuan ($70,000 to $84,000).”

“Solving this problem may require attracting a significant number of eligible young women from abroad,” Ding said, noting the increasing trend of international marriages among Chinese men.

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Matchmaking trend

As inequality continues, some professional matchmakers on Douyin have begun offering matchmaking services specifically aimed at connecting Chinese men with women from Russia. This emerging trend takes advantage of the demographic differences between the two countries, resulting in a surplus of women in Russia.

Finance influencer Jingongzi, who has more than 1.8 million followers on Douyin, commented: “Southeast Asia has maintained close ties with China since ancient times, and culturally we share many similarities. For example, Vietnam celebrates Lunar New Year, so Southeast Asia “Women from Asia generally do not face significant cultural shocks when they come to China.”