(Ecns.cn)— For Chinese who decide to end their relationships but don't feel like doing it themselves, there are a growing number of "breakup agencies" that will take care of it for them.
A search online for "breakup agencies" yields about 40 such services, mostly in east China's Zhejiang Province and first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. According to the online ads, the agencies offer multiple services related to ending relationships.
Little Wu (alias), a man who runs one agency, told the Changsha Evening News on Wednesday that service charges "are based on analysis made by a psychological expert."
He also revealed that prices could run up to 100,000 yuan ($15,671), with a minimum fee of 5 yuan. If the breakup can be accomplished through a simple phone call, it will cost the client only 5 yuan plus the phone rate. If the procedure involves a face-to-face talk with the person to be dumped, then more expenses will be charged. Almost all of the agencies are open to installment plans.
Many have condemned the service as an "irresponsible way to end a relationship," said Wang Haiyan, from Hunan Province. Gong Haiyan, a businesswoman who runs a famous dating website, agreed. She criticized the agencies as a moral challenge to society.
Despite criticism, Little Wu says that "he has been busy with online clients," indicating a a high demand for the service.
