Dating Apps Charm Chinese Citizens

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Source: Bloomberg
Last summer, several of my friends from the University of Southern California interned in China, living in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. When I asked them about their experiences, I was surprised to hear that many of them had used Chinese dating apps during their stay in China. Frankly, I had been under the impression that China was too conservative for Tinder-esque apps. But after listening to my friends’ stories, it soon became clear that dating apps were very popular among the millennials -- and only getting bigger.
 
In 2014, online dating in China generated $318 million in revenue.[1] One recent hit, Tantan (探探)  raised over $5 million in Series A funding.[2] Within the app, users can create accounts with basic profiles and several pictures and swipe through other users that are nearby. Swiping right indicates that you are interested and left the opposite. If both users swipe right, it’s a match. Not surprisingly, many have labeled this a “Chinese Tinder clone.” [3]
 
Another popular app is Momo (陌陌), which Chinese blogger Cecilia Miao has termed “THE Chinese Dating App.”[4] With 60 million monthly active users, Momo debuted its IPO at $17.02 a share, netting $216 million.[5] Momo was once regarded as a hookup app, but now attracts users looking to make new friends as well. The app offers unique features such as minigames and groups. Momo even had an IPO in the US and now has users around the world.
 
Adding a new spin to the dating app scene, Qingchifan (请吃饭), or literally “treat to a meal,” has also gained attention for its unique approach. As the title suggests, the app is centered around going out on dinner dates. As with Momo (some have termed Qingchifan a “Momo lookalike”), users fill out a profile with basic information and pictures.[6] Users can then view people nearby and chat with them; however, Qingchifan diverges from other apps in that  meetups become centered purely around going out for a meal. Conversants discuss a time, location, and even how they will split the bill. Recent Series A funding secured the app $20.5 million.[7]
 
The popularity of these apps illustrates the effects of demographic imbalance happening in China. The lasting effects of the One Child Policy can be seen by the ratio of men to women in China. According to one Chinese think tank report, there are now 120 boys for every 100 girls in China.[8] Described by Chinese demographer Gu Baochang as “the largest, highest, and longest” gender imbalance in the world, China’s young adults are becoming more worried about finding a spouse.[9] Given the perception that finding a mate is becoming harder, Chinese have turned to smartphone apps as a way to expand their chances at meeting someone.
 
Longer working hours also seem to be resulting in more dating app usage as well. According to Dr. Vinod Mishra and Prof. Russell Smyth in a report on “Work Hours in Chinese Enterprises,” China has one of the highest average working rates in the world.[10] More working hours means less time for physical interactions, says Prof. Gloria Chan of City University of Hong Kong.[11] Thus, young professionals are turning to these apps as an easy way to find a match.
 
Urbanization has played a role in the increasing need for dating apps as well. In previous generations, moving, particularly from rural to urban areas, was made difficult by the Hukou System, a household registration system where people received benefits within their registered residence. Reforms to the system, however, have allowed more Chinese to immigrate to cities. While many Chinese may desire a spouse with an urban hukou (permit), the people who move to the cities may have very small social networks because they are new to the area.[12] Thus, dating apps provide an easy way to meet new people.
 
Unfortunately, dating apps have also provided an easy way to meet prostitutes. Momo’s location-based services, for example, make it easy for users to connect with prostitutes in the area. But, as Asian social media expert Steven Millward notes, prostitution hasn’t increased with the advent of these apps, it has just gained a new platform.[13]
 
There are other challenges for dating apps in China, one of which is the perception that they have contributed to rising divorce rates.[14] Some argue that these apps have encouraged unfaithfulness; others, however, argue rising rates are a result of social media or even the stress of national university entrance exams.[15]
 
China’s conservatism is another barrier. Traditionally, China has been very marriage-oriented, with the majority of its citizens marrying in their early twenties. But as people marry later, or not at all (see Alexis Dale Huang’s article on “leftover women”), the demand for apps will only grow. While no one would deny the use of these apps solely for hookups, there are people who certainly use these apps to find a mate. A new trend of casual dating is emerging as well, reflecting how marriage may not be as highly valued by the most recent generation.
 
The conditions in China that create a demand for dating apps will not subside in the coming years. As such, mobile apps like Tantan, Momo, and Qingchifan can only grow. The question becomes how Chinese culture will continue to respond to this medium. It is possible that China may crackdown on these apps, given its recent campaign to “create a healthy cyberspace” as a recent Xinhua article puts it. With its 2 million “internet police,” the campaign run by the National Office Against Pornogrpahic and Illegal Publications has already gone through various sites, ads, mobile app stores, and more to make sure all content is appropriate and legal.[16] Under Xi Jinping, even artwork has been subjected to moral scrutiny, stating that "popularity should not necessitate vulgarity and hope should not entail covetousness."[17] With that said, it will be interesting to see how the government defines “appropriate” as dating apps continue to grow.


References
[1] Wang, Ying, Sanghoon Kwak, and Jake Whalen. "Dating in a Digital World: Trends in 21st Century China." Global Initiatives. University of Pennsylvania, 2 Jan. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
[2] Bischoff, Paul. "Momo Lookalike App for Finding Dinner Dates Secures Series B Funding." Tech in Asia. Tech in Asia, 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
[3] Millward, Steven. "Momo Prices Shares at $13.50 for Today’s IPO, Set to Raise $216 Million." Tech in Asia. Tech in Asia, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
[4] Miao, Cecilia. "Does Tinder Work in China?" Does Tinder Work in China? Quora, 23 Feb. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.
[5] Millward, Steven. "Momo Prices Shares at $13.50 for Today’s IPO, Set to Raise $216 Million." Tech in Asia. Tech in Asia, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
[6] Bischoff, Paul. "Momo Lookalike App for Finding Dinner Dates Secures Series B Funding." Tech in Asia. Tech in Asia, 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Baculinao, Eric. "China Grapples with Legacy of Its ‘missing Girls’." MSNBC. NBC News, 14 Sept. 2004. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Mishra, Vinod, and Russell Smyth. "Work Hours in Chinese Enterprises: Evidence From Matched Employer-Employee Data." Monash University Department of Economics (2012): n. pag. 10 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2015. <https://business.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/339604/work_hours_in_chinese_enterprises_evidence_from_matched_employer-employee_data.pdf>.
[11] "China: Dating Apps Succeed Amid Cultural Pressure to Marry." Bloomberg Business. Bloomberg L.P., 3 June 2015. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
[12]  Wang, Ying, Sanghoon Kwak, and Jake Whalen. "Dating in a Digital World: Trends in 21st Century China." Global Initiatives. University of Pennsylvania, 2 Jan. 2013. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
[13] Millward, Steven. "Linked to Prostitution, China’s Favorite Flirty Chat App Slammed by State Media." Tech in Asia. Tech in Asia, 18 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
[14] Mailonline, Olivia Chan For. "Experts Blame China's Record High Divorce Rate on MOBILE APPS and Social Media as Figures Rise for the 12th Consecutive Year." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 28 July 2015. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Hunt, Katie, and CY Xu. "China 'employs 2 Million to Police Internet'" CNN. Cable News Network, 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
[17] Fu, Peng. "Xi Demands Moral Art - Xinhua | English.news.cn." Xi Demands Moral Art. Xinhua, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.

Alexander Melnik is a sophomore at the University of Southern California.