Young people in China are fangirling over a professor who gets their anxiety

Key Points:

• Professor Biao Xiang, a 54-year-old anthropologist, has become a popular figure among young Chinese people for addressing their anxiety and disillusionment amid rapid social and economic changes in China.
• Xiang speaks openly about the pressures faced by China's Gen Z, including job insecurity, social approval, and the challenges of transitioning from education to the workforce, offering a rare public discourse on mental health and societal issues.
• His concepts such as "floating"—the relentless struggle to survive—and "the nearby"—the neglected social space between self and the world—resonate deeply with youth seeking meaning beyond material success.
• Xiang critiques the traditional life script of education, stable job, marriage, and homeownership, highlighting how economic slowdown, youth unemployment, and intense competition have undermined this model, fueling widespread anxiety.
• Despite living in Germany, Xiang maintains strong ties to China, frequently speaking at top universities and engaging with young people, who appreciate his candid, thoughtful approach to their struggles and his encouragement to think critically.