Bare Branches by Hanna Hjardar

Cheng Xi (26) walks in one of S..., so no girl wants to date him.

Cheng Xi (26) walks in one of Shanghais streets. – The problem is that girls doesn't want to be with me. They choose someone with social capital, someone who has it all. And I don't blame them for that, says Xi. In one of China's most expensive cities, a girlfriend is something he can't have. He can't afford neither a house nor a car, so no girl wants to date him.

Parents gather around Chu (32) ...together, without them knowing.

Parents gather around Chu (32) to get his Wechat, Chinas version of western social media. He works full time as a matchmaker, trying to connect parents' children together, without them knowing.

As a part of Chinese wedding ce...ed. The day starts with a bang.

As a part of Chinese wedding ceremony are the groom on his way to his coming bride. Brining people, fireworks, drums, music and lanterns. Outside a posh area in the outskirts of Shanghai, Li and Pen are getting married. The day starts with a bang.

Yu Ting Ting (25) and Cheng Lon...lks. Most of the users are men.

Yu Ting Ting (25) and Cheng Long (25) has been on a normal date. Except that Ting Ting earns money on being with him. The Chinese company Hiremeplz offers non-sexual company for lonely people like dinner, cinema or walks. Most of the users are men.

Cheng Xi are getting a haircut,...le in this world, he continues.

Cheng Xi are getting a haircut, and is discussing relationships. Even though he doesn't date now, because of lack of self-confidence and money, he aren't afraid of ending up alone. – Many say that if you wait for too long, there will be no one left. But after turning 30, women will lower their expectations. I don't think there is "the one". There are so many people in this world, he continues.

Next year, China will have a su...ble to carry on the family tree

Next year, China will have a surplus of 30 million single men; some of them are desperate for female companionship. They're called guang gun, translated to bare branches - men unable to carry on the family tree

The best man and two friends ar...ide of China's borders.

The best man and two friends are sleeping between one of the many photoshoots the wedding couple have. By 2025 will over 15% of men over 50 years old be unmarried. Already are many desperate for female companionship, resulting in buying wives outside of China's borders.

Before being considered for a d...sting more than the car itself.

Before being considered for a date, it's expected that a man owns both a house and a car. When men can't meet those demands, they end up as unwanted marriage material. In Shanghai, it's a limit on how many cars is allowed. To get one, you first have to auction for the car plate, costing more than the car itself.

View from Shanghai.

After Chinas one-child policy e...llions of more men than woman.

After Chinas one-child policy ended, the country is left with a huge gender gap; with millions of more men than woman.

Li waiting for her soon-to-be h...education and an own apartment.

Li waiting for her soon-to-be husband Pen. For many they are the ideal of life: newly wed before turning 30 years old, in-laws that like each other, a good education and an own apartment.

Danny Xing (29) is not stressed...t after his money, and not him.

Danny Xing (29) is not stressed with ending up alone. The right one will show up. – To make money is the number one task for Chinese men. But the more money I make, the less I want to tell to the girls I meet, he says. He's afraid they are just after his money, and not him.

Chinas one-child policy from 19...ucation, low income and low IQ.

Chinas one-child policy from 1979 to 2015 has led to a gender imbalance. In 2005 it was a record with 120,5 boys born for every 100th girl. As many women move to bigger cities, three "L-s" characterize the men who are left: they have low education, low income and low IQ.

Thursdays is for KTV, the Chine...ryone ends up going home alone.

Thursdays is for KTV, the Chinese nickname for karaoke. Many use this platform to find a partner, like blind dating tonight. In between singing "You Raise Me Up", they try to talk. Get to know each other. But everyone ends up going home alone.