“Tang Ping” or Lying Flat, was a 2021 movement that rejected the work culture in China. Now, it has morphed into the more extreme “Bai Lan” or Let It Rot. What behind this new phenomenon?

Insight speaks to some Chinese youths who identify themselves as “Bai Lan”. They are opting out of climbing the economic ladder, choosing to put in the bare minimum at work and coasting along. What are the reasons for their despondency?

And will this youth movement affect China’s economic recovery, even as it faces headwinds from COVID lockdowns and a property debt crisis?

0:00 China's 'Lying flat' & 'Let it rot' trends
5:26 'Lying flat' vs 'let it rot': a worrying difference
9:03 Why I chose to 'let it rot': a Chinese youth
13:26 The rise of China and inequality
19:28 Anxieties of Chinese youth: Housing, healthcare, education
20:57 Gen Z vs Boomer: Differing attitudes to 'let it rot'
25:50 'Let it rot': a rejection of 996 culture?
32:34 What a 996 worker thinks of 'let it rot' culture
34:12 "We're not selfish": 'bai lan' youths
36:08 How China's tackling 'let it rot' culture
41:14 Should China be worried about 'let it rot' culture?

For greater INSIGHT into issues affecting Asia:
   • Insight  

===============
ABOUT THE SHOW: Insight investigates and analyses topical issues that impact Asia and the rest of the world.
==========================
#CNAInsider #CNAInsiderInvestigates #China #GenZ #Millennials #BaiLan


For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER
https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub

Follow CNA INSIDER on:
Instagram:   / cnainsider  
Facebook:   / cnainsider  
Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider