Making connections

Chen Yuting has gained popularity among youngsters in Shaoxing, a city with a population of 5 million in East China, for her gift for pairing up couples. She has been connecting more than 8,000 single men and women via WeChat.

"I have been telling my customers repeatedly that you will be quite frustrated if fixated on finding marriage materials through my services," she said.

Chen, born into the post-90 generation, said the unmarried are burdened with repetitive requests from older generations.

"When it comes to holidays, such as the Spring Festival and the National Day, I see a surge in customer inquiries because parents nag more during these times."

But the matchmaking market is a futile attempt, in her opinion.

"The single are not commodities. I don't peddle them, haggle over prices, or auction them off. Matchmaking is not only assigning a match for you, but also to expand your networks," she said. Chen prides herself on encouraging communication between young people.

"Some people rule a prospect out by attaching labels. One bachelor working in the IT sector told me his English teacher always scolded him in high school, so it's impossible for him to date an English teacher," she said. "Well, he actually fell in love with a middle school English teacher at an event this May."

"I nudged him to approach her because I saw a good match in every other aspect. His fear for the English teacher was not that important," she said.

Li Tonggui, a professor of the psychology department at Peking University, said that matchmaking markets across Beijing cater to the older generations' requirements that primarily stress salary levels.

"Young people emphasize romantic feelings at the beginning of a relationship. They tend to enjoy the process of falling in love before considering tangible requirements like salaries and housing," he said.

He added that a sense of security and warm feelings are key to developing an intimate relationship. "I suggest parents encourage their children to engage in outdoor activates, such as jogging, trekking or going on a picnic," Li said.

"Young people should grab every opportunity to meet and connect with others in person to increase their chances of finding an ideal husband or wife."

Yang Wanli contributed to this story.