On August 13, the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) drafted the Regulations on Marriage Registration (Draft Revision for Comment) (the "Draft") to seek public opinions by September 11, 2024.

The Draft stipulates that China will strengthen the informatization of marriage management. The civil affairs department under the State Council shall coordinate the planning, building, and improvement of a national marriage information database, establish an information-sharing mechanism in collaboration with the courts, the foreign affairs departments, the public security departments, and other relevant departments to ensure that marriage information is timely, accurate, complete, and secure. The Draft introduces several provisions, including those reading "within 30 days from the date when the marriage registration authority receives the divorce registration application, either party may apply for withdrawing the application for divorce registration to the original marriage registration authority receiving the said application if he or she is unwilling to proceed with the divorce, and the marriage registration authority shall terminate the divorce registration procedure." The Draft also clarifies that, for voluntary divorce, the divorce agreement shall specify the mutual intent to divorce and include the opinions regarding child support, property, debt handling, and other matters as agreed through negotiation.

(Source: Ministry of Civil Affairs)