The Shanghai city government has introduced measures to regulate the growing number of marriages between chinese and foreigners.

It has banned agencies from profiteering, saying some agencies made extravagaint profits at the expense of clients who suffered mental stress and financial losses.

There were about three thousand mixed marriages in the city last year.

From the beginning of December, Shanghainese who want to marry a foreigner will have to register with the city authorities who will decide within a month whether the wedding can go ahead.