![]() "Deng Xiaoping's open-door and economic reform policies have made Chinese richer, freer, and more independent-minded," noted Victor Lee, a film producer. In 2003, however, a revised marriage law dropped that requirement and simplified procedures, allowing couples to get their divorce certificates more easily. Many couples were forced to stay in "dead marriages" just to keep their privacy and avoid public stigma. Just seven years ago, couples needed written permission from employers or neighborhood committees to end marriage. It also accepted "complete alienation of mutual affection" as grounds for divorce and allowed one party to ask for it, even if the other party opposed. In 1981, a new law was enacted which granted divorce if one party is found guilty of extramarital affairs, domestic violence, and addiction to drugs or gambling. Still, China in the 1950s saw a surge of politically driven divorces as many Chinese opted out of arranged marriages. It allowed divorce but only after "mediation and counseling" had failed. It banned arranged marriages, concubinage and child betrothal. In 1950, the Chinese government enacted China's first marriage law. Divorced women were considered disgraceful failures and were called "po xie (old shoe)." But for men, divorce has been traditionally easy. An ancient proverb admonishes newlyweds to "be married until your hair turns white." In the old feudal culture, it was shameful for women to marry more than once. The trend is significant because Chinese culture has long leaned heavily against divorce. ![]() In 1985, the figure was only 0.4 per thousand. Last year the divorce rate - the number of divorces per 1,000 people - stood at about 1.85 per thousand. The report said 1.71 million Chinese couples broke up last year - 160,000 couples, or 10.3 percent, more than the previous year. In 2009, one in five Chinese marriages ended in divorce, according to a report by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Divorce - Chinese-style - is on the rise. ![]() Though there is still stigma attached to a broken marriage, changing social mores and socio-economic relationships are prompting a record number of unhappy couples to untie the knot. "He was a sort of momma's boy." Last year, the free-spirited thirtysomething decided she had enough. ![]() "I did not get along with my in-laws, but my husband kept taking their side," she told one of her friends. Beijing, China (CNN) - TV actress Tang Yi has been married to a film director for over 10 years, but it's been a rocky marriage. ![]()
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