The introduction of a new appointment system in divorce procedures in southwest China has reportedly decreased divorce cases by 47 percent. The system gives couples a one week "grace period" to think about their marriage before proceeding with divorce.

According to Women of China, more than 4,500 couples in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province changed their minds about filing for a divorce in 2015. This is mainly due to the appointment system that was set up which provided couples a one week "buffer period" to think about their marriage.

Like Us on Facebook

The appointment system was introduced by the local civil affairs department in February 2015. Couples, who decide to file for a divorce, have to make an appointment a week in advance - this will give them a one week grace period to reconsider their decision.

By the end of 2015, the local civil affairs department received a total of 9,571 appointment requests from couples, 4, 531 of them did not go through with the divorce after one week. That is 47 percent of the initial number who intend to divorce.

During an interview with Xinhua, a staff member of the civil affairs department Yang Zhue revealed that the ultimate aim of the system is to save marriages.Yang added that the main reason for most failed marriages is the lack of communication, adding that the causes of divorces are getting complicated especially among young couples.

These couples are more impulsive in their decisions. The director-general of civil affairs department, Wang Zhaowei, said that the one week grace period will give them time to calm down and give the couples time to reconsider their decision.

Various regions in China like Guangzhou and Gansu provinces have also adapted the same system hoping to deter couples from divorcing.

Tagsmarriage, divorce rate, one week grace period, one week buffer period, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, local civil affairs