The morning after the Qingming Festival, sunlight streamed into the Futian District Marriage Registration Office in Shenzhen. Zhou Min, a 42-year-old high school teacher, and her husband, Chen Lilong, arrived to file for divorce. On the agreement, the clause "house belongs to the wife, child follows the mother" was prominently highlighted.

When the staff member gently inquired about their situation, Zhou Min burst into tears. "Last week, he said he would save money with me for our child's tutoring," she said. The couple's pre-existing marital conflicts, compounded by pressure from relatives after Chen Lilong's failed investment, led to their impulsive decision to divorce.

Holding the receipt, Chen Lilong suddenly asked, "Can we remarry if we regret this?" Upon learning they could withdraw their application during the 30-day cooling-off period, he simply uttered "oh" and quickly walked out.

The cooling-off period helps many couples reconcile. Photo: Marriage and Family

The cooling-off period helps many couples reconcile. Photo: Marriage and Family

At 1:30 p.m. the same day in Beijing, Lu Yang and Wang Yutong returned home from the marriage registration office. They sat in front of two asset lists, calculating their mortgage, car depreciation, and dog expenses.

"Today is the 20th day of the cooling-off period. Initially, we decided the house would be mine and the car his, but I realized I would have to pay an extra 2,000 CNY in rent each month if we divorced," Wang Yutong said. The decision to file was made after a heated argument, but upon reflection, she realized she had underestimated her husband's contributions. "We have 10 days left. We won't rush to the Civil Affairs Bureau yet. We need to think it through," she said.

At 5:00 p.m. in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, on the online appointment system, Wu Mingyuan and his wife's "Divorce Application" turned gray, indicating the withdrawal was complete. After 30 years of marriage, they had experienced a reawakening of responsibility. When Mr. Wu's father was hospitalized for a heart attack, he realized his wife not only managed the household but also served as the emotional bridge between three generations.

"She once made a scene about my infidelity, which embarrassed me. But whenever there's a family matter, relatives only look to her," he said. He realized, "Marriage is a symphony of gratitude," and he "couldn't be ungrateful."

The stories of these couples are not uncommon. According to Shanghai government data, 12,500 couples withdrew their divorce applications during the cooling-off period in 2024, a 21% increase from 2021. The withdrawal rate in Shanghai reached 63%, the highest in the country.

A similar trend is appearing in other regions. In 2024, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, received 19,500 divorce applications, 42% of which were withdrawn. In Qianshan, Anhui, the withdrawal rate was also 42%.

According to the "Chinese Marriage and Family" report, the national withdrawal rate increased from 41% in 2021 to 58% in 2024. The phrase "Day X of the cooling-off period" is no longer a countdown but a pause for reflection on marriage.

However, not everyone uses the 30 days for reconciliation. A mediator in Beijing said many people turn this period into a "divorce preparation phase." They gather financial evidence, consult lawyers, and sometimes even hide assets or escalate domestic violence.

This demonstrates that time alone is not enough. Experts emphasize the need for a social support system, including psychological and legal counseling and community mediation, to make the cooling-off period truly effective.

Many countries around the world have waiting periods before divorce. England requires 9 months of consideration; South Korea, since 2008, mandates 1-3 months with compulsory counseling; and France extends the period up to 6 months.

China's distinctive approach is its strong mobilization of social forces. In Yichun, Jiangxi, the Women's Federation established a legal and psychological support center, collaborating with various departments to assist couples during the cooling-off period. In Wan Zai, Jiangxi, a team of 150 volunteers mediated for 440 couples, with 80 couples canceling or postponing their divorces.

"It's not that they fall back in love, but they realize divorce means losing the most stable partner in their lives. Many people file impulsively," said one volunteer.

Psychologists believe many couples change their minds because of their children, a strong emotional foundation, or one partner's efforts to change.

The deeper significance of the cooling-off period is to help society reshape its view of marriage. When couples discuss how to cooperate better rather than how to divide assets, when repairing a marriage becomes a greater concern than a quick divorce, its value extends far beyond reducing the divorce rate.

Bao Nhien (Marriage and Family)