XIAMEN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- As the Qixi Festival, known as Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on Friday, the marriage registration center on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, became a hotspot for couples seeking a memorable start to their marital journey.

"The bookings for Qixi were fully reserved well in advance, and couples lined up early to register on this symbolic day in such a beautiful setting," said Shen Qingming, general manager of a local wedding service company that facilitates registration appointments at the center.

Since its opening in June, the center, China's first marriage registration venue to offer global marriage services, has registered over 400 couples, including nearly 70 from outside the province. As long as one of the couple is a Chinese mainland resident, they can make their lifelong commitments to each other in this romantic atmosphere.

The island's charming scenery and cultural ambiance have significantly boosted its appeal, spurring a demand for wedding-related services such as catering, accommodation, and wedding photography -- collectively fueling a "sweet economy" that drives tourism and consumption.

"Gulangyu's romantic and cultural atmosphere makes it an ideal destination," said Lin Shengqun, deputy director of the civil affairs bureau in Xiamen. "We've welcomed couples from as far as Xinjiang and Heilongjiang."

A key catalyst behind this trend is China's updated marriage registration policy, implemented in May, which allows couples to register at any marriage registry across the country, regardless of their household registration location. This change has lowered barriers for couples wishing to marry in symbolic locations, turning scenic cities like Xiamen into hubs for "marriage tourism."

Over the past five years, Xiamen has averaged more than 20,000 marriage registrations annually, creating a substantial market for wedding-related services, including photography, banquets, and event planning.

According to official statistics, the city is now home to nearly 4,000 wedding-related enterprises, with over 1,100 new registrations since 2023. The growing "sweet economy" supply chain, deeply integrated with southern Fujian's cultural heritage, is expected to attract 10,000 couples to register in Gulangyu annually, positioning Xiamen as a leading wedding destination in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the local government's projection.

Beyond the ceremony, the "sweet economy" drives sales of wedding pastries, candies and other bridal favors. Lin Conghai, the owner of a local pastry shop, has noticed a rise in sales since the registry opened.

"Young couples now seek more personalized experiences," he said. "To meet their needs, we offer tailored pastry packages that blend modern and traditional elements. They value local culture, and we help them take home beautiful memories of Gulangyu."

For couples like Sun Ke and An Jingqiao, who recently registered in Gulangyu, the day was filled with personal meaning and romance.

"I still remember the first time I came to Xiamen, he brought me to Gulangyu. It was the very first spot we visited together. That's why we chose to get married here," An said.

Their experience captures more than just a personal milestone. It reflects how Gulangyu's marriage services, enriched by the island's cultural charm and thoughtful design, leave couples with not only official documents but also lasting, shareable memories.

After officially registering, the couple continued their celebration by purchasing traditional wedding pastries along Zhongshan Road to share with family and friends. They also selected locally famous candies as wedding favors and concluded their special day with an intimate candlelit dinner. It was a perfect celebration to mark the beginning of their lives together. ■