Nearly 20 divorced couples have called for help since the city's first professional "reconciliation hot line" opened for business on Saturday, the hot line's sponsor said yesterday.

Launched by the Shanghai Tianhe Marriage Consultation Company, the hot line was set up to help divorced couples who want to get together again but aren't sure how.

By dialing 5696-7711, divorcees can ask consultants to call their former spouse and say what they are too embarrassed to say themselves - usually an apology or suggestion to get back together.

"We hope to build a bridge for divorced couples," said company manager Sun Jie, who is also a divorce lawyer.

She explained that many couples divorce on an impulse, and some 20 percent of her past clients have considered reconciling with their exspouse one year after divorce.

Last year, 1,929 couples in the city registered to remarry each other.

Mediation of family quarrels have become another major function for the hot line, Sun said.

"I wish to get my wife's forgiveness by inviting professional marriage consultants to pass on what will be embarrassing for me to say," said a separated man surnamed Gu, who would rather have someone else apologize to his wife for his extramarital affair.

Currently, the hot line is free to call, but the company plans to begin charging fees up to 2,000 yuan (US$240.96) in the near future.

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