China's Yuppies

Here's a glimpse at the emerging young middle class in Chinese cities.

It's an anecdotal window on their worldview and aspirations, not comprehensive by any means, but still interesting. I think the rest of the world could really benefit from making friends with aspiring Chinese like this who will be the opinion-shapers of their country in coming years.

"Here, indeed, is the key. The "xiao zi" are not rebels; they are optimistic about China's future. But they know China still has huge problems, that there is a dangerous gap between urban well-to-do and the rural poor. They know China's headlong growth carries risks, and that they must compete in a market economy."

They are pragmatic and ambitious, idealistic in many ways but not political idealogues. They want their government to address social problems, but beyond that, they are content to improve their own lives and not get involved in politics or social action.