Unfortunately, marriage is just the beginning: after that come babies and the Pandora’s box of questions and guidance. “Why has it already been a year of marriage and no baby?” alongside “quit smoking and drinking” – so that a man’s little swimmers are in tip top condition.

And with the scrapping of the one-child-policy, it's only a matter of time before the: “when is the second baby coming?” question too.

The pressures of bihun aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. The saying: "not getting married and producing children is unfilial" is so culturally ingrained, that not having children is still one of the worst acts you can commit against your family.

Even when bihun verges on verbal or mental abuse – as it often does – it's hard to protest formally as it's your family.

There is, however, some public pushback.

A group of Chinese women recently tried put up a poster with the words "quit bihun; my life my choice" in an underground station. The local authorities and police rejected the design: society was clearly not embracing such a stand against traditional notions.

For now, a more open, equal conversation between parents and children is needed: while Chinese New Year can be painful for singletons, there's clearly parental distress too.

Putting on the pressure on the issue marriage isn't conducive to getting anyone married; communicating may be the first step forward to 'solving' the issue, and reaching harmony during a holiday that's all about family.

Photos: ThinkStock

Interrogation and emotional blackmail: how marriage pressure is ruining Chinese New Year for many women