There was a time when China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ran factories and businesses and even made profits. All that ended in 1998 when then president Jiang Zemin divested them of that control. Today, the same PLA is helping its officers and men find love, get married and boost the national demographics.
May 20 — written as “5/20” or simply “520” in China is considered the country’s unofficial Valentine’s Day because the pronunciation of the numbers in Mandarin sounds similar to the phrase “I love you.” This year, a verified Weibo account shared content.
It ran thus:
“From junior officers to lieutenant colonels, from sergeants to first-class master sergeants they’ve all come to the matchmaking event… Let’s see who still hasn’t found love yet.” (Screenshot of the post below)
Such matchmaking is not new. As far back as 2016, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported on a military-civilian matchmaking event organised by another air force unit, aimed at helping soldiers find partners because of demanding flight-support responsibilities and limited personal time.
The event brought together 60 unmarried military and civilian participants through games, performances and matchmaking activities including what was described as the “First lesson of matchmaking How to win a girl’s heart? A secret that can’t be shared publicly,” alongside photographs showing PLA officers holding roses during the event. (Source: https://www.xinhuanet.com//mil/2016-05/18/c_128992695.htm)
Military matchmaking events are now common on Chinese social media and local government platforms. Many are organised by local authorities and state companies, mixing dating activities with patriotic messaging and campaigns against expensive weddings and bride prices.
One recent event shared by a verified Weibo account was held in Yinchuan on May 20 and brought together more than 110 unmarried PLA soldiers and young women from government offices and state-owned companies. (Screenshot of the Weibo post below)
Romance Meets Patriotism
Along with social activities, participants also took part in simulated rocket launcher drills and learned about benefits for military families and spouses.
Even romance on Chinese campuses is becoming increasingly organised and filtered. A recent report by Sixth Tone highlighted the rise of highly exclusive “campus dating apps” used by university students across China. These platforms only allow students from specific universities to join and match users through detailed questionnaires about lifestyle, goals and personality. (Source : https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018538)
China’s Growing ‘Organised Romance’ Trend
Earlier this year, a university in Sichuan encouraged students to “fall in love” during spring break as part of broader efforts to boost social interaction and consumption.
The push goes beyond universities. Chinese state media and local governments are increasingly promoting matchmaking events, mass weddings and dating initiatives as ways to tackle falling birth rates and population decline.
But many young Chinese appear increasingly uncertain about traditional romance and marriage. Economic pressure, high living costs and intense work culture have left many young Chinese skeptical of traditional expectations around love, marriage and family.
