In recent decades it has become a trend in China for a man to give his wife-to-be's family a cash sum, like a reverse dowry.

近几十年来，男子给与妻子娘家一大笔钱在中国已经成为了一种趋势，就像倒贴的嫁妆一样。

But the "bride price" has been rising, particularly in poorer rural areas where there are fewer potential wives, reaching more than 100,000 yuan ($14,000; 12,000 pounds) in some places.

但是“彩礼”的数额一直在上升，尤其是在适婚女性较少的较穷农村地区，某些地方的礼金数额超过了10万人民币（约合1.4万美元，1.2万英镑）。

The authorities in Taiqian county, Henan Province, want marriage costs to be less extreme.

河南省台前县政府希望结婚费用不要再那么极端。

New guidelines say the "bride price" should not exceed 60,000 yuan, and the authorities are also urging betrothed¹ couples to have simpler weddings, China National Radio reports.

据中国国家广播电台报道，新公布的指导意见称，“彩礼”不应超过6万元人民币，而该县政府也鼓励订婚的情侣婚事从简。

There should be no more than 10 tables of guests at the reception, and a maximum of six cars involved in the event, the guidelines say.

该指导意见称，婚礼上的客人不应超过10桌，婚车也不应超过6辆。

There's no punishment for disregarding the advice, but wedding organisers and local Communist Party committees have been told to intervene "at once", according to the radio.

据国家广播电台报道，对于那些无视这一建议的人不会给予惩罚，但是婚礼组织者和当地党委被告知要第一时间介入制止。

Not all social media users welcome the new guidelines, with many saying the government has no right to get involved.

并不是所有社交媒体用户都对这一新指导意见表示欢迎，许多人都表示，政府无权介入。

"The rules are made with good intentions, but how much money a family wants to give is a private matter," says one user.

一名用户说道：“这些规则的出发点是好的，但是一个家庭想要给多少钱是一件私事。”

Another asks: "Which law gives the government permission to reach into people's family matters?"

另一名用户则问到：“哪一条法律允许政府介入人们的家庭事务？”

But some people are more positive, with one writing: "For those that can't afford to marry, this is good news."

但是有一些人观点则更积极一些，他们说道：“对于那些结不起婚的人来说，这是一个好消息。”