Single, bitter? Chinese government helps lovebirds

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China's central government has set up a match-making website to help thousands of busy but lonely government workers find love at work.

"Are you still single and bitter?" asks the pink-themed website

Look no further.

The official government website for the "Central Government Unions Magpie Bridge" - featuring a young man and woman peering at each other around the corner of a log cabin - calls itself "the most trustworthy matchmaking platform".

"Members have high calibre, are well-educated and have stable jobs," it says.

"All information has been confirmed by the labour union at their respective employer, and registered with the Ministry of Public Security, to assure accuracy and reliability."

Magpie Bridge has so far attracted more than 5,000 civil servants from the central government and the Beijing municipal government since it was established in 2005.

It is named after the bridge of birds that once a year connects mythical Chinese lovers Niu Lang and Zhi Nu.

The website aims at providing a "pure and safe environment", different from commercial matchmaking sites which are notorious in China for being filled with fake personal information.

It doesn't list a success rate but, at 100 yuan ($14.65) for a year's subscription for a civil servant, it seems a bargain.