New Delhi: In a stark warning issued from its embassy in Dhaka, China has urged its citizens to exercise extreme caution regarding cross-border marriage arrangements in Bangladesh, specifically cautioning against illegal online matchmaking schemes and the perilous pursuit of “foreign wives.”
The advisory, reported by Global Times, highlighted the growing concerns over bride trafficking and exploitative practices.
The Chinese embassy explicitly cautioned nationals against falling prey to deceptive “cross-border dating” content prevalent on short video platforms. It also advised against seeking partners through informal networks or commercial matchmaking agencies, which are strictly prohibited under Chinese law, Global Times reported.
Citizens were urged to outright reject the notion of “buying a foreign wife” and to consider the implications before entering into marriage in Bangladesh. The embassy emphasised that many such arrangements are facilitated through illegal or exploitative channels, carrying severe legal repercussions for those involved.
These warnings are primarily driven by China’s severe gender imbalance, a lingering consequence of its now-abandoned one-child policy and a historical cultural preference for sons. This demographic challenge has left an estimated 30 million Chinese men, often termed “leftover men,” struggling to find spouses, which, combined with dwindling national marriage rates, has significantly fueled the demand for foreign brides.
A recent investigation by The Daily Star brought to light alarming cases of Bangladeshi women allegedly being trafficked and sold into marriage in China, with criminal gangs orchestrating these illicit operations. Under Chinese law, marriage agencies are forbidden from facilitating or disguising cross-border matchmaking services, and individuals are prohibited from engaging in such activities for financial gain or through deceptive means.
Victims of romance or marriage scams are strongly advised to report immediately to China’s public security authorities. The embassy also warned that any Chinese national found engaging in illegal cross-border marriages in Bangladesh could face arrest on human trafficking charges.
Bangladesh’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act and Penal Code impose harsh penalties, including a minimum of seven years up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty for organisers of human trafficking, while those who incite, plan, or assist can face three to seven years of imprisonment and significant fines.
