Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, June 13 -- A large number of Shenzhen residents are calling to book marriage registration slots Aug. 8, the opening day of the Beijing Olympic Games, the city’s civil affairs bureau said Wednesday.     

    Apart from the Olympic connection, couples want to get married Aug. 8 as the numbers 8 and 6 are considered lucky for Chinese, the Daily Sunshine said Thursday. Chinese people believe Aug. 8 this year is composed of three “eights,” which will bring them happiness and fortune.     

    All six district marriage registration offices in Shenzhen have reported accepting far more bookings for registration slots Aug. 8 than the maximum allowed, the report said.     

    “The date of Aug. 8, 2008 is also the eighth day of the seventh month in Chinese lunar calendar. It is an auspicious day that comes once in many years. It will be very lucky to get married on that special day,” a woman surnamed Luo said, who was delighted that her booking had been accepted.     

    But an Internet user who identified himself as Xianzhaohui was not so lucky as Luo. He claimed in an article posted on sznews.com.cn that he could not book a slot online even after trying for two hours.     

    “It took me two hours to access the booking system at 2 a.m. June 8,” he said. “But I was told no more bookings were being accepted. I was very upset.”     

    An official with the municipal civil affairs bureau pleaded for more understanding from the public as regulations state the daily booking quota cannot exceed 60 couples a day.     

    “We cannot handle more than that,” the official said. “But we will try to figure out a way to meet demand on the special day.”     

    The Futian marriage registration office has decided to increase the booking quota for Aug. 8 by 60 couples. Bookings are being accepted until June 16.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily)