More than 1,000 would-be couples in Beijing booked August 8 as their wedding date on Friday after queuing before marriage registration offices for several hours, said an official with the municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.

Li Ziwei, a director in charge of marriage registration, promised these people can all get their wedding licenses on August 8, the opening day of the Beijing Olympic Games.

People can also apply for the registration date through the Beijing Municipal Marriage and Adoption Registration Services Website (www.bjhysy.bjmzj.gov.cn) or the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau website (www.bjmzj.gov.cn) from July 7 to Aug. 5, she said.

Chinese people are keen to tie the knot on an auspicious date. They link "8" with "good fortune. The opening date of the Olympics adds new meaning.

Marriage registration offices in Beijing predict more than 9,000 couples will get married on August 8 this year.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2008)