IF YOU DON'T BEAT YOUR WIFE EVERY THREE DAYS, SHE'LL START TEARING UP ROOF TILES." THE OLD CHINESE SAYING MAY TURN INAPPLICABLE IN MODERN CHINA

Domestic violence was not an issue that the Chinese public talked about, let alone thought about adding to a law, until the 1990s. But all that is set to change this month as China's top legislators gather for their annual two-week session to discuss a revised marriage law, last changed more than 20 years ago. This is expected to outlaw domestic violence as well detailing grounds for divorce. Legislators are also trying to keep the marriage law relevant in a country where people have more wealth, are increasingly heading to divorce courts and where the number of rich businessmen keeping mistresses is on the rise, according to Reuters. They are proposing to add clauses on inheritance and property rights, as well as detailing compensation rights in a divorce to revise a relatively simple law first promulgated 50 years ago that was long on principles but short on detail. The amendments are set to be debated by the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, from March 5 to 15. So far, legislators have stopped short of making adultery illegal but will consider making them liable to compensate their spouses in divorce settlements. The revised bill also sets out what can cause a "breakdown in mutual affection" - grounds for a divorce - which was missing from the law passed in 1981.

2001-03-02