Even though the recent revisions to the marriage laws have been hailed as some of the most significant and positive changes in family law in China, thus far no empirical evaluation of the laws’ effectiveness in actual practice has been conducted. The article raises some questions as to the practical effect these revisions will have on women’s rights. The article suggests recommendations that will help bring the marriage law in compliance with the international standards set out in the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, as well as helps deliver on the promise of the revisions to the