Source: China Real Time, WSJ (1/25/17)
Dating Guide for Communist Party Member
Chinese officials weigh in on the do’s and don’ts on arranging blind dates
By Pei Li
A group wedding for soldiers in Dongguan City, China. PHOTO: ZUMA PRESS
Everyone in China looks forward to the Lunar New Year — except perhaps those unwed young adults returning home who face that inevitable question from their parents: Why are you still single?
To help speed things along, helpful elders have been known to arrange blind dates for their progeny. That has led to many avid discussions on blind date do’s and don’ts, and now even Chinese officialdom has weighed in.
The “Blind Date Guidebook for Communist Party Members” was posted by Nanchang Municipal Government on its verified Weibo social media platform Jan.19.
The post was later removed without explanation, and Nanchang officials didn’t respond to requests for comment. But the guidebook has been reposted by several Chinese media outlets, and cached versions are still accessible in cyberspace.
One question asks what Communist Party cadres should do if their parents set up an arranged date against their will. The answer might seem a bit vague, reading in part: “Youngsters should honestly inform parents of life plans to ease their anxiety, while parents should respect the kids’ choice and refrain from putting more mental strain on the younger ones.”
Another question: Can party members date foreigners? The answer: Yes in most cases, except for members of the Chinese armed forces on active duty.
What about disclosing to your date that you are a member of the Communist Party? The answer here is an unqualified yes. “Revealing your identity is part of being honest in a relationship,’’ the government advised. “What’s more, it will help you make a good impression.”
The guide says it’s OK to date someone who has multiple real estate properties and cars, but cautioned party members to think twice about giving extravagant gifts to a dating partner.
“Excessive extravagance will convince the society and the masses (you are) no longer a real Communist Party member,” the government admonished. That same point has been made by President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.
And should an arranged date lead to matrimony, the guide also has a few words of advice.
On the question of Christian church weddings, the guide doesn’t condemn them outright but reminded readers that Communist Party members are atheists whose beliefs are guided by the teachings of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong.
Engaging in religious activities would “weaken the party’s battle effectiveness and lower its prestige among the masses,” the guide said.
That post drew some critical responses on social media. “Of course they cannot get married in the church. Communists can only marry in the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall,” said one commentator on Weibo.
Another commentator seemed to be making a jibe at the tone of the advice:
“The most romantic thing I can think of,” the comment said, “is to build socialism with Chinese characteristics with you.”
–Pei Li. Follow him on Twitter @teamlipei