Authorities in China are looking at new way of halting country's increasing divorce rate. In parts of China, couples who file for divorce are being asked to take exam to ascertain how much they still might love each other and whether or not their marriage can be salvaged. Up to half of all Chinese marriages between those who were born in 1980s have ended in divorce. China's rising divorce rate has been attributed to increased empowerment of working women, who are more financially independent and less reliant on partner. Media sources say rise of social media and dating apps are adding to problem, as there are increasing numbers of extramarital affairs.
divorce tests have had mixed reaction in China. Liu Chunling, director of marriage-registration office, told reporters that test was aimed at reducing divorce rate and preventing "impulsive divorces". She said: "Only harmony of millions of family units can achieve harmony of entire society." Chinese Internet users were less enthusiastic about 15-question test being used to determine couple's love for each other. One post on Weibo social media site asked: "So if you remember your wedding anniversary you can't divorce? Divorce isn't case of amnesia." Another wrote: "They are adults and they have right to divorce. This is interference in domestic affairs."
