A company in China recently made headlines after introducing a controversial policy that targeted its single employees. The Shuntian Chemical Group, based in Shandong province, issued a notice in September informing its 1,200 employees that unmarried workers aged between 28 and 58—包括those who were divorced—were required to “resolve your personal marriage issues” by the end of the month. The announcement, which was widely shared and criticized on social media, outlined a series of steps the company would take if employees failed to comply. If marriage and the establishment of a family were not achieved by the third quarter, the company threatened to terminate their labor contracts. The notice also criticized single employees for “not responding to the national call” to marry and have children, accusing them of being “disloyal and disobedient to parental advice.” This policy was introduced amid China’s broader efforts to encourage younger generations to get married and start families, as the country grapples with a declining birth rate and aging population.
However, the policy quickly sparked backlash, both online and offline. Many people took to social media to express their outrage, criticizing the company for overstepping its bounds and interfering in employees’ personal lives. The controversy eventually caught the attention of local officials, who visited the company on February 13 to address the issue. Representatives from the human resources and social security bureau pointed out that the policy violated Chinese labor laws, which protect employees from such invasive and coercive measures. By the next day, the company had withdrawn the notice. A spokesperson for Shuntian Chemical Group, who chose to remain anonymous, acknowledged that the wording of the announcement was inappropriate, though they did not provide further details or apologies. The incident highlights the tension between China’s demographic challenges and the rights of individuals to make personal choices about their lives.
The backlash against the company’s policy reflects a growing resistance to government and societal pressure on young people to marry and have children. While the Chinese government has been actively promoting marriage and childbearing to counter the country’s declining population, many younger generations are pushing back against these expectations. The latest data shows that the number of new marriages in China dropped by nearly a fifth last year, marking the largest decline on record. At the same time, the country’s population continued to shrink in 2024, reaching 1.408 billion people—its third consecutive year of decline. These trends have led to increasing concerns about the long-term economic and social implications of China’s aging population, including a shrinking workforce and increased pressure on the pension and healthcare systems.
The Shuntian Chemical Group’s aborted policy is just one example of how some companies in China are attempting to align themselves with the government’s demographic goals, even if it means taking extreme measures. While the company’s approach was widely criticized, it underscores the broader societal pressures that single people in China often face. Many young adults in urban areas, in particular, are delaying marriage and childbearing due to factors such as rising living costs, career ambitions, and a desire for greater personal freedom. These shifts in societal attitudes have led to tensions between traditional expectations and modern realities, with many young people feeling caught in the middle.
The withdrawal of the policy also raises questions about the role of employers in personal matters and the limits of corporate authority in China. While the government has encouraged companies to support its demographic initiatives, the Shuntian Chemical Group’s case demonstrates that such efforts must remain within the bounds of the law and respect the rights of employees. The swift intervention by local officials suggests that there are mechanisms in place to hold companies accountable for overreaching, even as the government continues to promote marriage and family formation.
In conclusion, the Shuntian Chemical Group’s ill-fated marriage policy offers a glimpse into the complexities of China’s demographic challenges and the tensions they create. While the government’s efforts to boost marriage and birth rates are driven by concerns about the country’s future, they also risk alienating a generation of young people who are redefining what it means to live a fulfilling life. As China continues to navigate these challenges, it will be important to strike a balance between addressing demographic concerns and respecting the autonomy of individuals to make their own choices.
