Chinese professor’s comments fuel debate over changing marriage attitudes

A resurfaced interview with Chinese professor and social-media commentator Liang Yongan has revived debate over marriage and changing attitudes among young people. Liang, 72, a professor of Chinese language and literature at Fudan University, said at least one-third of people were unsuitable for marriage because marriage required the ability to care for and make sacrifices for another person. The interview was recorded three years ago but recently returned to public attention.

His comments attracted both support and criticism online. Some users said marriage should not be treated as an obligatory milestone and agreed that self-centred people could harm partners. Others argued that his statement simplified complex relationship issues.

The discussion comes as more young Chinese people adopt independent lifestyles. The “single economy” has supported growth in solo dining, emotional companionship and pet-related consumption. Official data cited in the report showed marriage registrations fell by 7.5% year on year in the first half of 2026, while divorce registrations rose by 3.9% to 1.38 million.

Authorities have introduced measures intended to encourage marriage, including streamlined registration, free health checks and consumption vouchers. Critics say such measures do not address employment insecurity, housing costs, childcare expenses and work-life balance. Liang has encouraged young people to develop themselves before entering relationships and has suggested that maturity and life experience can improve the prospects of meaningful love.

Some observers have criticised his literary and film-based examples as idealised and insufficiently attentive to economic pressures, family responsibilities and gender dynamics.