Steve Chen, a 25-year-old young man, found love in a surprising way: through a live video call.
This innovative approach has begun to gain popularity in China, where 240 million single people are seeking romantic connections, which has led the government to promote marriage and raising multiple children in light of an alarming declining birth rate.
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, called in 2023 to promote a new culture of marriage and parenting to address the aging population.
Millennials Turn to Video Calls to Start Romantic Relationships
In this context, video dating has emerged as a more interactive solution compared to traditional methods, such as marriage markets, which are often perceived as rigid.
Chen, who had struggled with his shyness, discovered these quotes in livestreams, where “cyber matchmakers” facilitate connections between singles while thousands of viewers comment in real time.
During one of these sessions, organized by Tian Xin, a popular matchmaker, Chen experienced her first love. The interaction allows users to showcase more of their personalities instead of just profile pictures, as is the case in conventional dating apps.
According to a report by iiMedia Research, more than 30% of single young people in China cite their scheduled work routines, with workdays of up to 12 hours, as the main reason for not going on dates.
This phenomenon has given rise to a new trend of “lying flat,” where many prefer to resist social pressures by choosing to remain single.
Both Chen and his partner, Christine Zhang, who also participated in the livestream, believe that the platform is a valuable way to find love. “Finding a partner is difficult,” Zhang noted. “Only those who are brave manage to find love.”