China's rapid ascent in the global economy over the past few decades has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the 1980s, over 800 million individuals have been lifted out of poverty, and the middle class has burgeoned to around 400 million. Yet, recent economic difficulties are forcing many to confront a sobering reality.
For workers like Boris Gao, the notion of the Chinese Dream—once synonymous with upward social mobility through hard work and education—has begun to feel increasingly elusive. Gao's journey took a downturn when both of his parents lost their jobs at state-owned factories. With his father taking on a taxi-driving job and his mother forced to stay at home, the family struggled financially. In an attempt to scrape by, his mother canceled his text message subscription from school, leaving him in the dark about vital homework and activities.
Despite these challenges, Gao remained driven. He graduated from college in 2016, saved diligently, and later enrolled in a graduate program in Hong Kong. However, his job search has been nothing short of grueling since 2024. He faced an uphill battle when a potential employer proposed unpaid work during a trial period. Another position turned out to be a dead end after he went without pay for two months. He also faced rejection based on the perception of his educational background, which some deemed a liability in terms of political reliability.
In one disheartening interview, when asked about his parents’ jobs, he was reminded of his family's lower social status—a direct correlation to his prospects. “Your family has low social status,” was the sharp assessment he received, resulting in another lost opportunity. Gao lamented that in the current socio-economic landscape, persistence and struggle are seen as weaknesses, as opposed to strengths.
In essence, the dream for a better life through hard work is becoming increasingly tarnished for many of China's youth, who are grappling with realities that threaten to undermine the aspirations that once fueled the nation’s remarkable economic rise.
