Chinese online dating site offers 'golden' service

The online dating scene is one of the most inventive sectors thanks to ever ingenious entrepreneurs eager to tap into an increasingly demanding market of singles.

Developments in technology and wider availability of the internet across the world have resulted in a boom in online matchmaking services as niche sites are launched, giving some a chance to find that special person.

Nowadays singles can find all sorts of dedicated websites ranging from those serving religious liaisons and racial groups to interest-based forums and even sites dedicated to body types.

One such site is Golden Bachelor, a Chinese online dating forum dedicated to catering for the country's super-wealthy singletons that appear to be having a difficult time meeting partners despite having fat wallets.

"These people are very excellent themselves, which leads to their high standards for partners. And those who can meet those standards are few," Xu Tianli, the website's founder told CNN.

Speaking to the news provider about the online matchmaking service, the entrepreneur said an increasing number of Chinese people are now turning to the web to find love.

"The difference between us from other dating sites is we only focus on high-level clients - those with a high social status or superior physical condition. We don't focus on the mass general public."

Indeed you have to part with a lot to gain membership to this exclusive website because for starters, a personal or family wealth of at least $292,000 (£180,000) is required.

And don't think waving around your cheque book is enough, you background needs to be "extremely superior, wealthy and aristocratic" and you should posses exceptionally good personal qualities or be young, talented and beautiful.

Wealthy singles not satisfied with sharing the site with other moneyed hoi polloi on the website have a further option, they can fork out even more - $44,000 to be precise - to be part of the Golden Bachelor Diamond Love membership scheme.

So what do you get on this exclusive website, which claims to have five million members? Well its proprietor said psychologists and special matchmaking consultants are on hand to help with the partner-choosing.

The site also has "love hunters" a dedicated team that combs the breadth of China in search of the nation's most beautiful bachelorettes to present to the singles on the website - a golden service indeed.

Meanwhile, scientists at Iowa State University have revealed that an increasing number of newlyweds meeting on online dating sites appear to be older than other couples meeting through traditional offline methods.

A study of 175 newlywed couples found that apart from being less likely to be marrying for the first time, this group also had a shorter courtship before walking down the isle, Reuters reports.