Elderly couples celebrate their long-lasting marriages on Chinese Valentine's Day in Beijing. [Beijing Times/Fan Jiwen]

Around 77 elderly couples from various communities in Beijing's Chaoyang's District, celebrated their longstanding weddings on Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentine's Day, on August 9.

At the mass ceremony, some of the senior pairs shared their love stories from the past few decades and showed their marriage certificates and other treasured items.

The average age of those taking part was around 70, with the oldest couple both being in their late 80s and the youngest couple being in their mid 60s.

Han Zhizhong, 77, said that he and his partner Chu Jinghui have been wed nearly 60 years. They met at university and chose to tie the knot after their graduation in 1958.

In the following years, they endured many hardships in their lives due to their different places of work. Han said despite this they still accompanied each other and made great efforts to improve their circumstances.

In order to add the festive atmosphere, organizers made traditional Chinese garments for attendees and prepared desserts, wishing them to have a happy time in their twilight years.

(Source: Beijing Times/Translated and edited by Women of China)

By Ma JinfengEditor: Jane Wang