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Taiwan Bridles Foreign Wife Brokers

Lawmakers angry over unions built on 'weak foundations'

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2009 7:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Taiwan is clamping down on companies that arrange quicky foreign marriages for male customers, the BBC reports. Many Taiwanese men say they fly to Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam for brides because women in Taiwan are putting off marriage for career. But officials say cross-border weddings are built on "weak foundations," and women's groups complain that such unions amount to the buying and selling of brides.

Taiwanese men pay up to $9,000 to pick a bride, often based on a photo or video, and sometimes wed them on the spot. Foreign women often take part to send money back home or work in Taiwan as prostitutes. Taiwanese lawmakers, concerned about the country's image, say marriage brokers can only charge for administrative costs and expenses, and violaters will face fines up to $30,000.

Dozens of Taiwanese Air Force members kiss their brides and grooms in a hanger during a mass wedding of 70 couples at the Hsinchu Air Force Base, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

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Taiwan Bridles Foreign Wife Brokers

Lawmakers angry over unions built on 'weak foundations'

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Newly Met Occupiers Say 'I Do' in Zuccotti Park

'We are fighting for equality here,' bride says

Couple Weds for 100th Time

They have been making vows since 1984

Homewreckers Sorry for NYT Wedding Story

Critics descend on couple who met while married to other people

Woman Marrying Herself

Taiwan 'bride' sending message about society's pressures

Make Annulments Tougher: Pope

Benedict thinks pessimism about lasting marriage is driving trend

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Lawmakers angry over unions built on 'weak foundations'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Taiwan • marriage • wedding • brokers • Southeast Asia

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Newly Met Occupiers Say 'I Do' in Zuccotti Park

'We are fighting for equality here,' bride says

Couple Weds for 100th Time

They have been making vows since 1984

Homewreckers Sorry for NYT Wedding Story

Critics descend on couple who met while married to other people

Woman Marrying Herself

Taiwan 'bride' sending message about society's pressures

Make Annulments Tougher: Pope

Benedict thinks pessimism about lasting marriage is driving trend

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?