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Big Take Asia

China’s Crackdowns Are Crushing the Dreams of a Generation

Sep 18, 2024
Lulu Chen, a Bloomberg journalist specializing in economic trends, discusses the profound impact of Xi Jinping’s policies on China’s workforce. She highlights how millions face job losses and pay cuts, leading to widespread anxiety among the country's skilled professionals. The pressure permeates mental health, fueling a rise in anxiety and depression. Chen also examines the challenges of reskilling amidst age discrimination and the public's frustration over increasing retirement ages—a cocktail of socio-economic turmoil stirring unrest among China’s younger generation.
17:16

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Quick takeaways

  • China's economic shift to 'high-quality growth' is causing job insecurity and existential crises among skilled professionals across various industries.
  • The mental health toll of job losses has led to increased anxiety and depression, reflecting the widespread despair in China's workforce.

Deep dives

Impact of Policy Shifts on Employment

Recent policy changes in China led by President Xi Jinping are causing significant upheaval in key industries like finance, internet, and real estate, which were previously essential for job creation and economic growth. Many professionals are experiencing job losses, pay cuts, and overall uncertainty in their careers, leading to a sense of existential crisis among numerous skilled workers. The shift in focus from rapid economic growth to what is termed 'high-quality growth' is further exacerbating these issues, as sectors celebrated for success are now out of favor. This has left a generation of ambitious workers questioning the long-term value of their hard work, especially as many are forced to navigate a climate of decreased compensation and job security.

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