Speed dating company FastLife International has launched its service in China in cooperation with a domestic online dating operator.

The world's largest international speed dating service provider is cooperating with Zhenai.com, which has about 8 million clients, to begin its Chinese business under the KuaiQing.com brand.

"We aim to offer a service in each Chinese city with a population of more than 3 to 4 million in the long term and within the first six months we target at opening 100 events monthly," said Justin Parfitt, chief executive officer of FastLife. "Although many companies have run such business in China, there is no national speed dating company so far," said Parfitt.

The company will make use of Zhenai.com's client base to market their events, which cost 150 yuan (US$21.62) a head.

"There are more single people than the entire population of the United States in China. Chinese people have traditionally preferred to meet in person and KuaiQing.com's special invitation-based speed dating format brings the matchmaker into the 21st century," Parfitt said.

The service is aimed at professionals between 23 and 39. Shanghai is the company's first Chinese city, and it will host a free event tomorrow attended by 250 guests.

(Shanghai Daily May 30, 2008)