China has introduced a new divorce law with the aim of making marriage registration easier and divorce proceedings more challenging.
This includes a 30-day "cooling-off" period for couples to consider their decision before finalizing a divorce. The new law also shifts property division during divorce based on who paid for it, rather than equal division, potentially impacting women's property rights.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Easier Marriage, Harder Divorce:Marriage:The revised law aims to simplify the marriage registration process, removing regional restrictions. Divorce:A 30-day "cooling-off" period is introduced, allowing couples to reconsider their decision to divorce. If either party changes their mind during this period, they can withdraw the divorce application.
2. Property Division Changes:Ownership based on payment:The new law dictates that whoever paid for a property generally retains ownership, even if the other spouse's name was added to the title after marriage.Gifts to the husband:Property gifted to the husband by his parents will not be considered shared matrimonial property and will remain his property after divorce.
3. Impact and Controversy:Gender inequality concerns:Critics argue the changes disproportionately affect women, making it harder for them to leave potentially abusive or unhappy marriages.
Goal of promoting marriage and family:The law is intended to encourage marriage and family stability in the face of declining marriage rates and birth rates.
Social media backlash:The new law has drawn criticism on Chinese social media, with some expressing frustration about the increased difficulty of divorce.
4. Other aspects of divorce in China:Mutual agreement:Couples can divorce by mutual agreement, requiring a written agreement signed by both parties and filed with the Civil Administration Department. Litigation

ivorce can also be pursued through legal proceedings if a mutual agreement cannot be reached.
Grounds for divorce: Chinese courts consider factors such as adultery, domestic violence, abandonment, and persistent bad habits when deciding whether to grant a divorce.
Child custody:Both parents retain custody of their children after divorce, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Spousal maintenance:There is generally no spousal maintenance awarded in China after divorce, unless agreed upon by the parties.