Group wedding for student couples

Ge Shirong, president of China University of Mining and Technology, hosted a group wedding ceremony for 14 student couples on the campus in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province on Tuesday.

"It's a very precious wedding gift. I'm so moved," said one of the brides, Ren Liying, to Voice of Jiangsu.

All the couples are students at the school who will leave this July.

Ge said last May that he would like to witness the happiness between campus lovers who get married. His words spread on the Internet and created a buzz among college students. Many netizens praised Ge as enlightened, though some were concerned the president was just making a show.

China used to prohibit university students getting married until 2005. And many universities in the country take an attitude of "no objection but no support" towards student marriages.

"Many of our graduates will go to the far western China because of their majors. So I always wonder what we can do for them. As their teacher, I want to witness and share their happiness by such an activity, which can push the couples to treasure their love," Ge explained to Xinhua News Agency.

Ge Shirong, principal of China University of Mining and Technology, hands marriage certificates to the student couples on the campus in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, June 12, 2012. [Photo/Website of China University of Mining and Technology]

Lining the red carpet, 14 student couples and Ge Shirong pose for photographs on the campus in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, June 12, 2012. [Photo/Website of China University of Mining and Technology]