Unattached women in China have revealed the pressure they are under to find someone to marry in an emotional video.

The singletons told how they are considered 'leftover women' by their parents if they are not settled down by the age of 25 who have accused them of being 'picky' and 'free willed'.

In the four-minute clip for SK-11 skincare, the unnamed women refuse to get hitched just for the sake of it - and compared their parents' attitudes to 'selling' their own daughters.

Single women in China reveal the pressure they are under to marry from their parents and compare it to 'selling' their daughters

Chinese women tell the camera what they've been told by family and their parents for still being unmarried

The video opens with carefree images of the women in their childhood, from playfully doing the splits to smiling next to their mothers.

But captions flash up on screen on top of the pictures, revealing the hurtful comments the now grown-up women have received from their parents.

One said: 'You're not a kid anymore,' while ordering her to 'find someone to marry'. Another girl was told by her father 'I won't rest in peace until you're married'.

The montage also reveals how they have been called 'stubborn' and 'too picky' in the past.

In China, 'sheng nu' literally translates to 'leftover woman' and refers to women over 25 who aren't married yet, one of the interviewees reveals.

One woman is called 'average looking' by her mother who blames her daughter for being 'sheng nu' or a leftover woman

Parents find it disrespectful if their daughters do not get married and the women explain it's most important to respect their parents

Describing the country's traditional values, one woman explained: 'You become a subject that people talk about and you get so much social pressure.

'Chinese new year is the most stressful time because everyone will be asking you "How old are you?"

"Why are you not married? You're no longer young."'

Another woman added: 'People think in Chinese society an unmarried woman is incomplete. You feel like an outsider.'

Older parents of one of the women seems confused by his daughter's generation and their choices. He said: 'In our days matchmaking was simple. You get married.'

But now with many women single, parents want to help their children to find love.

The clip shows pictures of the women over the years and how they're branded 'picky' by parents for not being married yet, one woman at her graduation

Another woman, pictured as a teenager, was told not to 'so free willed' and she should allow her parents to set her up with a husband

One father told his daughter he wouldn't 'die in peace' until she had a husband, putting enormous pressure on the young women

The video then showed Shanghai Marriage Market in the People's Park, which the women explained they found uncomfortable.

A woman's voiceover said: 'Personally I don't like this "Marriage Market" it's full of parents who post their son's and daughters profiles.'

Parents are seen poring over different photos and profiles and ask: 'What's his income, what's his job? Does he have a house, a car?'

'It's like you're selling your daughter,' the voice adds.

Another single woman explained: 'In Chinese culture, respecting your parents is the most important quality. And not getting married is like the biggest sign of disrespect.'

While the video also explored some awkward scenes between parents and their children.

A mother, sat next to her daughter, said: 'We always thought our daughter had a great personality. She's just average looking, not too pretty. That's why she's leftover.'

A father tells his daughter not to be 'cruel' and to find a man in the four-minute clip while his wife looks on

One of the unmarried women apologised for being 'selfish' because she wanted to make her parents happy and broke down in tears

The women then had their pictures used in profiles at Shanghai Marriage Market, where parents go to try and find a match for their children

Her daughter is in tears next to her as her father looks on. She then speaks to camera out of earshot: 'I yearn for love, yes I want real love.'

Another father is seen telling his daughter 'it's time to fix this problem. Don't be so cruel to me.'

Wiping a tear from her eye, the young woman muses: 'Maybe I should give up on someone I love for someone who's suitable.'

Another father told the camera next to his daughter: 'If she really can't find the one, it will be a heart disease for me.'

Before breaking down in tears, his daughter told the camera: 'Maybe I'm being selfish. I want to say sorry to them.'

'I just wish my parents would understand my way of living.'

One set of parents find their daughters profile but read her message about wanting to stay single

A woman is embraced by her mother after her parents read her profile at the market and they supported her decision to find the right man

A woman who wrote on her profile at the market that she wanted to 'enjoy the single status' was embraced by her mother who said it was the men who should try harder

The daughters decide to attend the marriage market but only to deliver a personal message to their parents. But in a twist, they have used their profile to tell them they are happy staying single.

Over voiceover, a woman explained: 'I don't want to get married just for the sake of marriage. I won't live happily that way.'

SHANGHAI MARRIAGE MARKET The purpose of the market, which runs rain or shine every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm, is for Chinese parents to find a suitable partner for their child. The event provides the perfect opportunity for parents to talk to other mums and dads and discover whether a potential match between their respective children could be on the cards. Traditionally, parents arranged their children's marriages in China, but a right to choose your own spouse has long been established. It is widely believed that most children do not give their parent’s permission to attend the event on their behalf. Advertisement

The parents are seen pointing at different profiles while one of the daughters tells the camera: 'I will be happy, confident and have a good life.'

'As opposed to the term "leftover woman" I have a great career and there is another term "power woman".'

Her picture at the market reads: 'I want to take the time to find the right person.'

Her emotional mother said: 'I will always support you' as she read the message.

While another woman wrote on her profile: 'I feel free and I enjoy the single status.'

Her mother was in tears and said: 'My daughter is beautiful. Leftover women should be proud.'

When the women were reunited with their parents, one father said he supported his daughter: 'If she feels it's okay to be single, we will still respect her.'

And one mother appeared to rethink her ideas. She said: 'The leftover women are outstanding, the "leftover men" need to try harder.'

The clip ended with a voiceover of the women saying: 'I'm confident. I'm independent. I love life. I'm a pretty outstanding woman.'

The message of the video is to not 'let pressure dictate your destiny'.