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China rush on 'lucky' wedding day | China rush on 'lucky' wedding day |
(15 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people across China are getting married, believing that the date of 9 September 2009 will guarantee a long and happy union. | Thousands of people across China are getting married, believing that the date of 9 September 2009 will guarantee a long and happy union. |
The date "nine, nine" sounds like the saying "jiu,jiu" in Chinese, which can be translated as "long lasting". | The date "nine, nine" sounds like the saying "jiu,jiu" in Chinese, which can be translated as "long lasting". |
The fact it is also 2009 has made the day even luckier for many Chinese, the state-run China Daily newspaper says. | The fact it is also 2009 has made the day even luckier for many Chinese, the state-run China Daily newspaper says. |
On 8 August last year there was a rush on weddings in China, as the number eight sounds like the word for wealth. | On 8 August last year there was a rush on weddings in China, as the number eight sounds like the word for wealth. |
More than 10,000 couples are set to register their marriages at civil affairs departments in Beijing, Chinese media have reported. | More than 10,000 couples are set to register their marriages at civil affairs departments in Beijing, Chinese media have reported. |
A further 6,000 are expected to tie-the-knot in Shanghai, with the same number again seeking marriage certificates in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou. | A further 6,000 are expected to tie-the-knot in Shanghai, with the same number again seeking marriage certificates in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou. |
Other large cities recorded at least 2,000 couples who have registered an interest in getting married, the report adds. | Other large cities recorded at least 2,000 couples who have registered an interest in getting married, the report adds. |
Record-breaking | Record-breaking |
Officials were expecting even more couples to crowd marriage offices on Wednesday than those who had already registered. | Officials were expecting even more couples to crowd marriage offices on Wednesday than those who had already registered. |
Advertisement | Advertisement |
Thousands joined queues early in the morning | Thousands joined queues early in the morning |
In Shanghai, officials have placed no maximum on the number of people allowed to get married, opening the possibility for a record number of weddings on one single day. | In Shanghai, officials have placed no maximum on the number of people allowed to get married, opening the possibility for a record number of weddings on one single day. |
"We have deployed more staff to ensure smooth operations at registration sites," said Zhou Jixiang, the head of Shanghai's Civil Affairs Bureau. | "We have deployed more staff to ensure smooth operations at registration sites," said Zhou Jixiang, the head of Shanghai's Civil Affairs Bureau. |
In Beijing, the marriage reservation system has notched up a gear: "Normally it takes 10 minutes to handle the whole procedure, but we have set-up this reservation system, so now it takes only three minutes.", said marriage official Zhang Weiwei. | In Beijing, the marriage reservation system has notched up a gear: "Normally it takes 10 minutes to handle the whole procedure, but we have set-up this reservation system, so now it takes only three minutes.", said marriage official Zhang Weiwei. |
On 8 August 2008 - the day the Beijing Olympics began - there was a huge rush on marriages in China. | On 8 August 2008 - the day the Beijing Olympics began - there was a huge rush on marriages in China. |
Traditionally the number eight is considered to be lucky because it also sounds like the world for "wealth" in Chinese. | Traditionally the number eight is considered to be lucky because it also sounds like the world for "wealth" in Chinese. |
On that day more than 7,000 couples exchanged vows in Shanghai, with more than 3,000 in Beijing. | On that day more than 7,000 couples exchanged vows in Shanghai, with more than 3,000 in Beijing. |
Officials say they are braced for more mass weddings during the Chinese New Year on 26 January and 10 October next year - or 10/10/2010 - is also expected to be very popular. | Officials say they are braced for more mass weddings during the Chinese New Year on 26 January and 10 October next year - or 10/10/2010 - is also expected to be very popular. |