I would imagine you can marry anywhere in the world you want to, but it's best to check with your embassy as to what that means, in relation to bringing your wife back to the states or country of origin. I would imagine, that if you work via the embassy, and register your marriage with them, there must be some means of bringing your wife back to your own country, ...eventually!! . I think your biggest problem is, ...you living in the states and your wife living in China. (not so for Mike or Yoshiii) One thing is sure, no matter where you are married (recognised country), your marriage licence will be classified as a valid document by your country....
Alas, Immigration laws, are not the most logical of institutions, so they will generally find some spanner or stick to throw into the works. Check on your embassy websites, and or contact an immigration lawyer, as to what the ground rules are. Yoshiii will be in a good position to ask the military legal services for advice on this matter.
Here in the EEC, we have a more lenient approach, but even we have problems at times with bringing spouses back to our countries. I've recently been a great believer in thinking outside the box, looking at things from different angles, and if it comes to it, being outright deceitful, where officialdom is concerned. It used to pay to be honest, it sure don't anymore, you just leave yourself wide open to get shafted by these faceless bureaucrats.
As a footnote, ALL that marry in China, to ladies coming up to retiement or who have retired, you Kiss that State pension away, ....Crazy, but true!!
David....
