A matchmaking cruise open only to male millionaires and "good-looking, desirable" women is due to sail on November 25, a Chinese newspaper reported yesterday.

Men joining the cruise on Shanghai's Huangpu river have to be in possession of a fortune of at least 2m yuan (£130,000), said the organiser, Xu Tianli. More than 20 men have booked, and fewer than 30 women of the 1,000 who applied were eligible, he said. "Only those who were attractive in every category can take part in this event," he added, without giving the criteria that female applicants had to meet.