In China, the development of a society-wide marriage and childbirth support system is being strongly promoted, with renowned companies and local governments successively launching marriage incentive measures.

In September, Jingpai, a Chinese baijiu manufacturer, fully covered the costs and held a mass wedding for 52 employee couples, gifting 10,000 yuan (approximately 235,000 yen) to each newlywed couple. According to the company, when other employees get married, they also provide a gift including 5,000 yuan (approximately 117,000 yen) in cash and alcohol worth 5,000 yuan. Furthermore, according to data from Pang Dong Lai, which operates department stores, since establishing a marriage incentive system in 2025, a total of 3.65 million yuan (approximately 85,722,000 yen) in incentives has been provided to 73 individuals.

Some local governments are also encouraging marriage. Shengzhou City, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, offers free premarital health check-ups to eligible couples, while Mingxi County in Fujian Province, Lüliang City in Shanxi Province, and multiple regions within Guangdong Province provide cash to newlywed couples. In some parts of Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, wedding-related consumption coupons are distributed to newlywed couples.

This is closely related to current marriage and childbirth trends. According to data from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, the number of marriage registrations nationwide in the first half of 2026 was 3.275 million couples, a decrease of 264,000 couples from the same period last year. The '15th Five-Year Plan' outline mentions the establishment of a policy system to support family development, the cultivation of a new marriage and childbirth culture, and the advocacy of positive views on marriage and childbirth.

Media commentary points out that while such incentive measures may not immediately have the effect of 'promoting marriage,' marriage is ultimately a decision made after considering various factors. However, if an environment that provides more support at each stage of marriage, childbirth, parenting, and education is established, it will lead to a reduction in young people's concerns and burdens regarding marriage and childbirth, and contribute to the enrichment of society's overall marriage and childbirth support system.

Furthermore, there are also calls for certain policy support, such as appropriate tax and fee reductions, to be provided to companies that support their employees' marriage and childbirth. (Provided by CGTN Japanese)