In China, a divorce club opens on V-Day

To be launched in Shanghai on February 14, the club aims to help divorcees celebrate their singlehood.

A support group called the "Divorce Club" will be launched on Valentine's Day in Shanghai. The aim: To help divorcees celebrate the ending of their marriages, state media reported Saturday.

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Around 135 "wealthy men and women" have already joined the club which will provide counselling services and organise social gatherings as well as divorce celebrations, said the Shanghai-based Youth Daily's website.

"Actually, to be released from a dead marriage is a happy occasion, so we chose Valentine's Day (on February 14) to launch the club," the website quoted the head of the club, Shu Xin, as saying.

She said the club aimed to support people already divorced or considering divorce and help those facing problems being single again.

China's divorce rate was up 21.2 per cent in 2004 with 1.6 million couples parting, according to official statistics.