Online cupids

Experts say the transition for online dating to real-life interaction is very important, so dating parties like this at the Chaoyang Museum of Urban Planning are often the next step forward. Xinhua

China's young singles under pressure from parents and family to get married are increasingly turning to websites to find Ms or Mr Right. Xu Lin finds out how effective these matchmaking networks are.

Li Fei, 28, logs on the online dating platform NetEase Huatian every day hoping to find his ideal life partner. He chats up young women online, and sends online messages to those he's interested in.

"I' m still looking for my true love. I get many messages once I post something interesting on my profile. Then I realize it's not so difficult to make friends online," says Li, an engineer from Beijing.

NetEase unveiled its online dating platform in November, and the beta version is now being tested in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Its target customers are people who like to use the Internet and smartphones, with an average age ranging from 20 to 35.

Users have to register with their identification card number or mobile phone number.

With the development of matchmaking sites on the Internet, more and more Chinese turn to such websites since these allow them to filter the requirements for their ideal partners.

"I have more choices online and feel more relaxed. Huatian is more suitable for young people. Compared with other sites, the services are all free, and I don't feel like I am a merchandize for sale," says Zhang Xiaomo, 26, a magazine editor from Beijing.

Like others, she often uploads her pictures, writes down her feelings, and browses to see whether there are suitable young men. She gets many online messages and chats with some of them.

"Even if some are not suitable as lovers, we can still be friends," she says.