A group of women attend a matchmaking event in Shanghai. [Gao Erqiang / China Daily]

More than 60 percent of Chinese young people approve of premarital sex, according to a survey released Wednesday by Shanghai Normal University.

Sponsored by China's Ministry of Education, the survey collected 9,569 responses from persons aged 14 to 35 in 10 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Wuhan.

When asked about their feelings regarding premarital sex, 17.7 percent of respondents said they fully accepted it, 22.6 percent were not bothered by it, and 21.2 percent had an ambiguous attitude. Only 15.7 percent were strongly against the behavior.

In regard to the traditional view of men being career-oriented and women valuing family first, 41.7 percent said they embraced the opinion, while 58.3 rejected it.