A matchmaking party aimed at pairing up millionaire men with beautiful women will be held on a ship on Shanghai's Huangpu River on November 25.

All of the male participants must have assets worth at least 2 million yuan (US$250,000), and all the women must be good-looking and desirable, said Xu Tianli, the event's organizer and the owner of www.915915.com.cn, a matchmaking website.

"Actually, half of the men who registered for the event have more than 200 million yuan (US$25 million) worth of assets," Xu said, "they have all come here in search of a serious relationship."

More than 20 men have signed up to take part in the event.

Xu said his website provided matchmaking services only to the country's elite. At least 3,000 millionaires throughout the country have signed up as members.

"Rich men are normally very busy, and most of the women they meet are there for work or business, which these men consider to be unsuitable for relationships," Xu said, "every man has certain criteria for his future wife. What these rich men want is a woman who is a bit more than normal.”

"Matching criteria could be a good start for love," he added.

One of the millionaires taking part, who identified himself only by his surname Sun, said he is looking for a woman who is good looking and has a nice personality. Sun, 34, said he had more than 4 million yuan (US$500,000) and owned a logistics business.

"I often find pretty women on the street, but many of the women I meet in person are not the kind to win husbands," he said.

"Appearance is most important to me," he added.

Sun said he paid 20,000 yuan (US$2,500) to the website to register, and would pay another 20,000 yuan if he married someone as a result of its matchmaking services.

"Surely there are women who are here just for the money, but I think I can see through that. I don't want a woman who only wants to marry me for my money."

The website has selected nearly 30 out of the more than 1,000 female applicants who applied to take part in the cruise.

"We have consultants throughout the country who interviewed each woman and examined their merits," Xu said. "Only those who were attractive in every category can take part in this event."

Xu said that some millionaire women had also entered the event.

"But they are looking for men who are richer and more successful than they are," he added.

(China Daily November 14, 2006)