介绍:
Topic1: Is it too easy to divorce in China?An opinion piece on China's divorce system is being reposted on China's social media, saying China needs to reform its rash divorce system.1. The case in the opinion piece:• The blogger came back to China from the US only to find out a couple, whom he were friends with, were talking about divorce. He thought it was just the anger talking. But the next day when they met, the couple had already got the divorced. So they got the approval for divorce on the same day they applied for it.• They just went to the local civil affairs office to have it done within 2 minutes—there was no queue. They only need to fill in some forms and then their divorce will be certificated.• No other information is provided about the divorced couple. But I guess they have kids or pets, something they both find endearing. Or they don't have any disputes over them.2. Another case:This might be a single case, but I do know some other cases in which the couple I'm friends with. Surprisingly, when they arrive at the civil affairs office, they are suggested to go to the court to have the procedure done because it's easier. They don't have financial disputes. And they don't have kids. No lawyer needed.3. Should it be easy or difficult to get a divorce?◆ It should be easy:• Isn't this government efficiency what we want?• Unhappy marriages should end as early as possible.• Couples who want to divorce have the right to handle their own affairs.◆ It should not be rash:• Family is the foundation of a society. Marriage should be protected to make sure that families are stable. If it's too easy to break a marriage, the society will be less steady and there would be many more uncontrollable issues such as women and children's rights being violated.• Outside world should play a hindering role in the procedure of divorce, because couples tend to make wrong decisions when they get upset.• Easy divorces lead to higher costs of the whole society.4. Are more Chinese getting a divorce? Sadly the answer is yes.• Divorce rates are higher than before.• According to official statistics, China saw 3.5 million couples divorce in 2013, up 12 percent from the previous year.• Among 10,000 marriages, about 26 end up divorcing, rising slightly year on year.5. Divorce isn't as easy as in some Chinese cities:◆ Xi'an:• Since 2012, a civil affairs bureau in Xi'an City that covers more than 1 million residents has limited the number of divorce filings to no more than 15 a day.• The policy is aimed to save families from impulsive divorces. Some couples eventually decided not to file for divorce after having some time to calm down and think it through.◆ Xuzhou:• This year, civil affairs officials in Xuzhou city in eastern China decided not to accept any divorce filings on Valentine's Day.◆ Cixi:• In Cixi city in Zhejiang Province, the local Civil Affair Bureau asks couples to make an appointment at the bureau, wait for seven days, and then come back to go through the divorce procedure. Nearly half of those who made an appointment didn't return to the bureau to really get a divorce.6. What is the case elsewhere?◆ New York:• In 2007, New York shortened the one year separation grounds for divorce to three months.• Although the marriage license is issued immediately in New York, the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued. If the couple decides that the marriage is a mistake within the 24 hours, they can annul it, instead of filing for a divorce.◆ Countries banning divorces:• The only countries that do not allow divorce are the Philippines and the Vatican City.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTopic2: Rules for realty registrationThe long-awaited provisional rules for a national property registry have finally been released recently. It will take effect on March 1 next year.1. What are the rules?• Registration of farmland, real estate, forestry and waters are involved. Their ownership, exploitation and operating rights are to be registered.• Information from housing, agriculture, forestry, and maritime authorities will be shared.• Registration will be electronic or in print and kept permanently. Electronic versions shall be backed up regularly.• The Ministry of Land and Resources will guide and supervise real estate registration work nationwide, ending a patchwork system overseen by various agencies.• None of the articles explicitly states that it is a compulsory obligation for all citizens to have their properties registered. And it goes without saying that those who have real estate certificates for the houses they have bought should have their detailed information already registered with the management departments of various governments.2. Why should we care?• This is a milestone.• It protects property rights as well as business transaction security.• It paves the way for urbanization.• It lays the foundation for imposing property tax.• It might also become an effective tool to uncover the wealth that corrupt officials hide in the form of property.3. What will be the impact?• The public has focused its attention on how real estate registration laws are related to the crackdown on corruption and whether it will lead to the dropping of real estate prices.● Housing prices:• Registration will bring more transparency, help us know exactly how many properties there are; how many people own homes and how many do not. But the effect on property prices needs to be watched.• Many factors affect prices, including supply and demand and credit policies. Registration is just one of the indirect, lon
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