Britain’s consul-general in Shanghai has sparked debate about gay marriage in China following his recent same-sex marriage.

Brian Davidson (right), UK’s Consul-General in Shanghai since January 2011, married his partner, American Scott Chang, at the ambassador’s residence in Beijing over the weekend.

In an announcement on his official Weibo (a popular Chinese social media site) page this morning, Davidson wrote, “Love is GREAT. I am very proud that the law in the United Kingdom today affords me the same rights as any other British national to be married to whomever I love.

This is one very real example of how the United Kingdom practices equality for all.”

“For me, it means that finally, our family and friends (British, Americans and Chinese) can witness the moment we commit to love and cherish each other till death do us part. This is extremely important for both me and my partner,” he posted, reports The Shanghaiist.

The post, which attracted over 8,000 shares, 3,500 comments and 4,000 ‘likes’ within seven hours, garnered mostly positive comments and generated much debate as gay unions are not legal in China.

“Although it was not legal under Chinese law, it still sends a very good and positive message to China’s gay community,” said Wei Jiangang a guest at the wedding and the founder of Queer Comrades, a Beijing-based gay rights NGO.