A Chinese village has faced an online backlash after it introduced controversial fines for pregnancies outside marriage and couples living together before they wed.
The village, in Lincang, Yunnan province, southwestern China, sparked heated debate online after a notice titled “Village Rules: Everyone is Equal” was photographed and reposted by netizens.
According to widely circulated photos on social media, the notice outlines strict penalties for unmarried pregnancies, cohabitation without marriage and even marrying someone from outside Yunnan province.
It states: “Marrying someone from outside the province requires a penalty of 1,500 yuan (US$210); unmarried pregnancy 3,000 yuan; and unmarried couples living together must pay 500 yuan (US$70) annually.”
Advertisement
Other stipulations included: “If a child is born too soon after marriage, less than 10 months, a fine of 3,000 yuan will be imposed” and “If a couple quarrels and village officials are called in to mediate, each person will be fined 500 yuan”.
Also, people who cause trouble or display rowdy behaviour while drinking in other villages will face fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan (US$700).
Advertisement
Those caught spreading rumours or making baseless claims within the village will be fined between 500 and 1,000 yuan.
