Professor Biao Xiang gains following among anxious Chinese youth

Anthropologist Biao Xiang has emerged as an unlikely cultural figure for China’s Gen Z, gaining a following often described as “academic fan meetings.” Xiang, 54, addresses the widespread anxiety felt by young people navigating China’s rapidly changing economic and technological landscape.

During a recent talk in Singapore attended by approximately 500 people, Xiang discussed how young people often seek self-worth through systemic approval, such as competitive exams and secure employment. He suggested that the pressure to meet these societal standards can be exhausting and damaging, advocating instead for individuals to seek personal meaning.

Xiang’s popularity extends to major Chinese campuses, including Peking University, where his lectures have been live-streamed due to high demand. His ability to articulate the uncertainties regarding job prospects and social pressures has made him a symbolic anchor for a disillusioned generation.