There was a sharp increase in the number of international divorces in Shanghai last year. A total of 355 marriages involving a foreigner were dissolved in the city in 2006, according to Wenhui Daily.

A survey shows that long-term separation was the main factor for the divorces. Even though modern communication has become increasingly convenient, it still cannot fill the inner loneliness of separated marriage partners.

Among the number of divorces, Sino-Japanese marriages topped the list, followed by Sino-American and Sino-Australian couples. Lack of common culture and differences in language, customs, traditions and religious beliefs were also cited as obstacles for international marriages.

It has become increasingly common for Chinese citizens to marry foreigners in Shanghai. There are now about 100,000 foreigners based in Shanghai. Figures show nearly 3,000 Shanghai residents married people from 55 different overseas countries and regions, up 22.97 percent from the previous year.

Shu Xin, a member of China's Committee of Marriage and Family Affairs, said some Shanghai women regard marriage as a chance to have a better life or go abroad.

They do not have a comprehensive knowledge about living overseas or their husbands' actual situations. Once they discover reality doesn't meet their expectations, they become depressed.

According to experts, reducing the divorce rate not only requires improving social openness and the acceptance of different cultures, internationalization and social attitudes. It also requires the partners' mutual understanding, tolerance and respect.
文汇报报道,去年上海的异国离婚率持续上升.2006年就有355队涉外婚姻结束. 一项调查显示长期的分离是导致离婚的主要原因.即使现在的交流方式是如此的便利,仍无法满足分开两人内心的孤独. 在这所有的离婚人数中,中日婚姻位居榜首,其次是中美和中澳夫妻.缺乏相同文化背景、语言的不同以及习俗、传统、信仰上的差异都被认为是国际婚姻的障碍．　　在上海中国人同外国人结婚已经非常普遍了．目前大约有10万外国人常住上海．数据表明接近3000名上海居民与来自55个海外不同国家和地区的人通婚，较去年上升了22.97%．　　中国婚姻与家庭事物协会的舒心表示上海的妇女将这种婚姻视为过上好的生活或出国的好机会．　　她们对于海外生活以及自己的丈夫的实际情况并没有一个全面的了解，一旦她们发现实际情况并非所愿的时候就会变得很失望．　　专家指出，想要降低离婚率不仅需要对社会透明度的改善、不同文化、国际化和社会态度的接受度的改进同时还需要婚姻双方的相互理解、容忍和尊重．