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Record number of marriages on Aug. 8

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-08-2008 17:00

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Eight has historically been considered an auspicious number by Chinese people. And today, on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008, Beijing has seen an huge number of marriage registrations. Newlyweds hope both the auspicious date and the opening of the Beijing Olympics will bring them good luck.

A total of 19 pairs of newlyweds from 12 cities of China hold a romantic group wedding on the sea in Olympic cohost city Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, at about 11 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 9 hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics.(Xinhua/Gong Zhihong)
A total of 19 pairs of newlyweds from 12 cities of China 
hold a romantic group wedding on the sea in Olympic cohost 
city Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, at about 
11 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 9 hour countdown to the opening 
ceremony of the Olympics.(Xinhua/Gong Zhihong)

Newlywed couples each express their happiness in their own unique way. They say August 8th, 2008 is not only an important day for the country with the opening of the Olympics, but also a big day in their own lives.

"It's really wonderful to see so many newly-weds on a single day. Young couples have been flocking into the marriage registration office since 5 o'clock in the morning. They are all very excited to get married on such a historic and memorable day."

He Bingjie and Li Tong made a reservation with the marriage registration office almost a month ago.

He Bingjie, said, "This year is the Olympic year. And today is August 8th, 2008. We hope that this auspicious number will bring us good luck!"

The same wish is shared by many other couples.

More than 2,400 are expected to tie the knot at this marriage registration office in Haidian district alone.

A newlywed couple said, "We have considered many other dates to choose to get married and we both think that today is the best! Because we can celebrate the day with all Chinese people and people from all over the world!"

"We hope today will be a good start in our lives. And our lives will be better in the future. And we hope we will be happy and together forever."

It's estimated that some twenty thousand Beijing couples would get married on August 8th. That's a one-day record for marriages in the capital.

Staff at the city's marriage registration offices have opened as many rooms as they can and are expected to work long hours to meet the day's explosive marriage demand.

 

Editor:Si Qintu