Dating cruise for millionnaires sets sail in China

Educated, overworked and looking for love, members of China's new rich gathered for what was touted as the country's first dating cruise -- open only to men worth at least 2 million yuan (US$250,000; euro195,000). The cruise, organized Saturday by a matchmaking Web site, illustrates a growing phenomena: Well-educated and increasingly affluent young Chinese are having a hard time finding partners.

Xu Tianli, CEO of Web site www.915915.com.cn, said he staged the event -- tickets for which cost 28,800 yuan (US$3,600; euro2,750) -- as a public service for his site's members.

"We're the country with the world's biggest population, so marriage is a serious concern, especially for wealthy men who don't have time to meet anyone," Xu said.