At Beijing's Yuyuantan Park, hundreds of parents flock together at a spouse-hunting fair. The mid-summer heat hasn't deterred them from traveling from all corners of the city. They are here to find an ideal match for their son or daughter. Many are holding a card with their child's gender, age, height, educational background, job, monthly income and other specifics on it. These "hunters" stroll around for others' information, and talk with those whose cards interest them. If the exchange goes well, contact details are swapped.

In September 2004, the Beijing Evening News published an article by a teacher surnamed Wang, called "Suggestions for the Marriage of the White Collars," which urged mothers to "exchange their children's information at the Longtan Park in Beijing." More than 10 mothers attended that first spouse-hunting gathering.

Since then, this kind of blind date fair has spread across China. In big parks in Beijing such as the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park), the Temple of Earth (Ditan Park), Zhongshan Park and Taoranting Park, they are held two or three times a week on a regular basis. There are large-scale blind date fairs in all big cities like Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing and Chongqing, organized by local women's federations and matchmaking agencies with good reputations.

On May 29 and 30, the Third Blind Date Fair of Beijing was held in the city's International Sculpture Park. In spite of the 50 yuan ($7.4) admission fee (the fairs are usually free), it drew 8,000 participants. The search for love and marriage seems to be a popular problem.

Should parents help?

Parents have many reasons for being at the fairs. Some explained that their children are too busy with work, and have high expectations but just a small group of friends. That's when parents' help comes into play. Others believe that family deeply shapes a person's personality. The hope is that by meeting the parents they will by proxy get to know their child's prospective date.

However, some young people are not fans of this system. Miss Zhao, who went to this fair, said she won't allow her parents to look for a boyfriend for her this way. "It seems like we have stepped back into old days," said Zhao, who is among a great many people opposed to arranged marriage.

Many parents said they don't tell their children about the fairs. "If there's a good boy, I'll tell my girl that he was introduced to me by one of my friends. This is just a white lie," said a man who declined to provide his name.

Not all young people are opposed to this kind of blind date. Zhao Xu, the only interviewee who agreed to reveal his name, thinks it's a good way to find partner. Coming from Tonghua City in Jilin Province, he works in beer sales in Beijing. He's been through several unsuccessful relationships, and is willing to try something new. "I'm 32 years old now, and my parents are worried about my marriage [possibilities]. I can understand them. Parents are just helping to provide more chances, and how to choose is still up to the children themselves," he said.

Mr. Wang, who works for a government department, told ChinAfrica proudly that he has found "Mr. Right" for his daughter. She holds a doctorate degree, works in a state-owned financial institution and has a monthly income of over 10,000 yuan ($1,477). Wang had been trying for nearly a year to set her up; she finally consented at his 10th attempt. This 10th candidate is now his son-in-law. But now Wang is still at the fair. The success has motivated him to look for boyfriend for his friend's daughter. Strolling around the matchmaking fair has become his favorite pastime.