Peaceful development

"People meet in a variety of ways, from matchmaking to social networking. The age gap between couples has narrowed and, most important, people are getting together for love, not money," he added.

Although some policies have been revised to better protect the interests of mainland spouses, problems such as education, overstaying visas and employment issues, still exist, according to Wei.

At a recent media briefing, Yang Yi, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said he hoped Taiwan will soon rectify the discriminatory polices that affect spouses from the mainland. "Cross-Straits marriages have contributed to the peaceful development of relations between the mainland and Taiwan," Yang said.

While attending the 2nd Cross-Straits Marriage and Family Forum, which was held in Xiamen in June, Dou Yupei, vice-minister of civil affairs and president of the Cross-Straits Marriage and Family Association, said the organization will work to remove barriers on cross-Straits marriages this year.

The number of counselors trained to provide marriage-counseling services for mainlanders who have married, or are planning to marry Taiwan residents, will be increased.

The association will collate requests and complaints from mainland spouses and work with government departments to solve their problems, said Dou.

He said the association has given feedback to the relevant bodies in Taiwan and has urged them to produce new policies that better safeguard the rights of cross-Straits couples and create a sound foundation for their future happiness.

Contact the writer at sunli@chinadaily.com.cn