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For hundreds of single men and women in the countryside who are looking for "the right one", they can now try their luck at an online "match- making supermarket".
The website, www.ajjdz.com, was launched by Tian Zhongben, a farmer in Anji, a county in East China's Zhejiang Province.
It features all the personal details of a suitor whether married, unmarried, divorced, family property, monthly income and debts. Men are considered as "goods" and women as "shoppers".
"There is a big need for match-making among farmers," Tian said.
"The number of single women is much higher than men in the cities, but in the countryside it is the opposite.
"There are many young women in the countryside looking for marriage, but prefer the big cities. I believe people need to change their attitudes, and I am providing that platform," Tian said. The website has a current membership of more than 100, and about 30 people have in the past two months found suitable partners.
"I hope my online marriage supermarket can attract not only local farmers, but also those from other provinces who are interested in settling in Anji where the rural economy is developing," Tian said.
The website is looking for more members who are too busy at work to find partners.
Men are required to fill in two forms. One requires details about his assets, and the other about his preferences in a woman. He must also submit a photograph of himself.
"One of the biggest obstacles for us is that many farmers in their 30s do not know how to send their photographs through the Internet. Consequently, I, along with people in charge of women's issues from nearly 250 villages and communities, have to visit them to take their photographs.
"The good thing is that we have an opportunity to verify the information they provide," Tian said.
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