Internet dating is old news almost everywhere. But many Westerners are surprised to learn how prevalent it is in China, and how successful.

According to a recent poll taken by the Matchmaking Committee of the China Association of Social Workers, almost one third of more than 2 million respondents said met their current mates online. "Introduced by a friend" was a distant second at 16 percent.

The number of people using online dating services has more than doubled in three years - from 46 million in 2005 to 100 million last year - and is expected to reach 185 million in 2010, according to the iResearch Consulting Group. Revenue in 2008 was $95.6 million, and is expected to reach $176 million next year.

There are literally thousands of online dating sites, with something for everyone. Baihe.com says it has the most professionals, Jiayuan.com emphasizes its sincerity, while marry5.com claims the highest percentage of marriages.

Liu Yahui, an English teacher in Shenzhen, was married last month, 16 months after meeting her husband online.

"Living alone in Shenzhen, I didn't have many friends. My parents in Hunan have been urging me to get married, so I thought the Internet made sense," Liu said.

"Frankly, I didn't have much confidence that it would work, but I was surprised to find someone who met all my requirements: kind-hearted, well educated, and from Hunan," she added.

Liu's parents were delighted. As a bonus, her husband's name, Liu Yawei, sounds as if he's a member of her family.

Online dating is particularly well suited to China, according to Gong Haiyun, founder of jiayuan.com.

"Young people in China are basically shy. It's common in Western countries for a man to compliment a woman, and women are comfortable with that. In China, that would be inappropriate," Gong said.

"People get frustrated dating someone whose age, interest, or personality are different from theirs. With the Internet, it's easy to meet someone you're compatible with," he said.

Concerns about online security have been eased by new laws and better enforcement by websites, according to sociology professor Jiang Qianjin of Zhejiang University.

The global financial crisis has also made online dating more attractive.

"Many single women in white-collar jobs have lost their sense of financial security. They're looking for security in their personal lives, in marriage," said professor Jiang.

Financial concerns topped the list of concerns mentioned by respondents to an online poll by hongniang.com. "Finding a wealthy mate" and "Finding a mate while looking for a job" were also common concerns.

(China Daily 04/06/2009 page6)