河南臺前縣出彩禮指導標準 總數不得高於6萬元

In recent decades it has become a trend in China for a man to give his wife-to-be's family a cash sum, like a reverse dowry.

近幾十年來，男子給與妻子孃家一大筆錢在中國已經成爲了一種趨勢，就像倒貼的嫁妝一樣。

But the "bride price" has been rising, particularly in poorer rural areas where there are fewer potential wives, reaching more than 100,000 yuan ($14,000; 12,000 pounds) in some places.

但是“彩禮”的數額一直在上升，尤其是在適婚女性較少的較窮農村地區，某些地方的禮金數額超過了10萬人民幣（約合1.4萬美元，1.2萬英鎊）。

The authorities in Taiqian county, Henan Province, want marriage costs to be less extreme.

河南省臺前縣政府希望結婚費用不要再那麼極端。

New guidelines say the "bride price" should not exceed 60,000 yuan, and the authorities are also urging betrothed couples to have simpler weddings, China National Radio reports.

據中國國家廣播電臺報道，新公佈的指導意見稱，“彩禮”不應超過6萬元人民幣，而該縣政府也鼓勵訂婚的情侶婚事從簡。

There should be no more than 10 tables of guests at the reception, and a maximum of six cars involved in the event, the guidelines say.

該指導意見稱，婚禮上的客人不應超過10桌，婚車也不應超過6輛。

There's no punishment for disregarding the advice, but wedding organisers and local Communist Party committees have been told to intervene "at once", according to the radio.

據國家廣播電臺報道，對於那些無視這一建議的人不會給予懲罰，但是婚禮組織者和當地黨委被告知要第一時間介入制止。

Not all social media users welcome the new guidelines, with many saying the government has no right to get involved.

並不是所有社交媒體用戶都對這一新指導意見表示歡迎，許多人都表示，政府無權介入。

"The rules are made with good intentions, but how much money a family wants to give is a private matter," says one user.

一名用戶說道：“這些規則的出發點是好的，但是一個家庭想要給多少錢是一件私事。”

Another asks: "Which law gives the government permission to reach into people's family matters?"

另一名用戶則問到：“哪一條法律允許政府介入人們的家庭事務？”

But some people are more positive, with one writing: "For those that can't afford to marry, this is good news."

但是有一些人觀點則更積極一些，他們說道：“對於那些結不起婚的人來說，這是一個好消息。”