Village feud keeps Romeo and Juliet apart for 100 years

Two villages in Dongshi town, Jinjiang city, Fujian province held a ceremony and built the "Pavilion of Harmony" to mark the end of a "no marriage" tradition on Sep 20, 2007.

Last year, eight villages in Jinjiang abolished a similar tradition.

Concerned official staff will investigate the issue and carry out publicity and education on ethical progress and marriage freedom, according to the Office of Spiritual Civilization Construction in Xintang town, Guangzhou city, Guangdong province.

Disputes between old villages were traditionally about land, such as fighting over irrigation or border problems, most of which were resolved some 50 years ago.

"But it is hard to uproot feudalistic superstitions concerning such problems. Thus our young people themselves should persuade the parent generation step by step," said Pan Jianming, an expert of Guangdong folk culture.

"I have thought about giving up. However, it is proved by practice that we cannot be separated", Xu Tian said.