The article highlights the challenges faced by many young Chinese, particularly those from modest backgrounds, as the promise of upward social mobility fades amidst China's slowing economic growth. Despite the significant reduction in poverty since the 1980s and the expansion of the middle class, stagnation in wages and job losses are creating a sense of disillusionment.
The story of Boris Gao exemplifies the broader trend. Despite his hard work, education, and perseverance, Gao faces immense difficulties in finding stable employment. His experiences highlight the hurdles faced by many young people, including unpaid internships, delayed payments, and discrimination based on family background and education received outside mainland China. His story underscores the changing landscape of opportunity and the increasingly competitive job market.
The article argues that the prevailing attitude among some employers prioritizes ease and quick success over perseverance and effort. The idea of struggling to achieve success is viewed negatively, reflecting a shift in values and expectations. This presents a significant barrier for those who previously relied on hard work and determination to improve their socioeconomic standing.
Since the 1980s, more than 800 million Chinese have risen out of poverty. China’s middle class expanded from virtually no one to about 400 million. Villagers moved to cities. Tens of millions of people became the first in their families to attend college.
Today, China’s economic growth has slowed. As wages stagnate and jobs disappear, the promise of upward social mobility is eroding, especially for those from modest backgrounds.
For many people like Boris Gao, the Chinese Dream no longer feels achievable.
After Mr. Gao’s parents were laid off from their jobs at state-owned factories, his father drove a taxi and his mother stayed home. The family struggled to make ends meet. To save money, his mother canceled a text message service from his school, causing him to miss notifications of homework and school activities.
But Mr. Gao was exceptionally driven. After graduating from college in 2016, he worked hard, saved aggressively and attended a graduate program in Hong Kong. Since 2024, his job hunt has been an ordeal. One company asked him to work with no pay during a trial period. He quit a job after not being paid for two months. Another company rejected him because he was educated outside mainland China, making him politically unreliable, he was told.
In one interview, he was asked about his parents’ professions, which is not unusual in China. “Your family has low social status,” Mr. Gao was told and did not get the job.
“To them, perseverance is a defect,” he said. “If you have to struggle, it means you’re not good enough.”
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