Gen Z survey reveals common global perspectives

Generation Z－people born between 1995 and 2010－are less influenced by a Cold War mentality and share a strong recognition of the need to create a common global future for humanity, a new report said on Friday.

They also believe that big countries should steer clear of zero-sum games, seek common ground while maintaining their differences, and work together to build a peaceful, prosperous and pluralistic world, and that China and the United States should approach each other in a more open, inclusive, objective and rational manner, build understanding and trust through communication and contribute positively to peaceful global development and prosperity.

The findings of the 2022 Global Generation Z Insights Report are based on questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 3,000 young people in 50 countries and regions, including China, France, Egypt, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the US.

The report was unveiled during the launching ceremony for the Generation Z Research Center, which was held online and offline in Beijing on Friday.

The new center, a platform integrating academic research, exchange and training, was jointly established by China Daily, the Department of Sociology of Peking University, the School of Journalism of Fudan University in Shanghai, the School of International Journalism and Communication at Beijing Foreign Studies University, the Institute of Sociology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Bilibili Institute for Public Policy and the Beijing Shengtao Institute of Educational Development and Innovation.

Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said that as an important part of China Daily's global communication platform, the establishment of the center comes at the right time and can make a big difference.

The center aims to become an important institution contributing to international communications planning and research, a top-notch think tank with Chinese characteristics, a practical training center and an important platform for international cooperation and communication, he said.

Mi Bohua, dean of the School of Journalism of Fudan University, said the school will provide academic support, and work with the research center on comprehensive, detailed research projects.

Zhou Feizhou, director of the Department of Sociology of Peking University, said that his department will offer technical and human resources support and nurture more interdisciplinary talent in international communication.

Chen Guangjin, director of the Institute of Sociology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the institute will provide resources such as social surveys, countermeasure research and access to scientific research platforms.

Gu Yu, director of the Bilibili Institute for Public Policy, said the short-video platform will work with the center to help spread the voice of young Chinese and promote cultural exchanges between Generation Z youth in different countries.

As internet natives, members of Generation Z are more capable of independent and critical thought, more willing to express their opinion, question stereotypes and disagree with the notion that they do not have to work hard to succeed, the report said.

It found that peer pressure and uncertainty about the future are their biggest sources of anxiety and as a result, they are more likely to be comfortable with being ordinary and also "know how to say no".

The report also found that the more overseas members of Generation Z know about China, the better they like the country.

"Before coming to China, I didn't really know anyone who had been there before, so my impression was the generic American impression that China is so behind," said Amy Nicole, 24, a US student at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

She added that one of the biggest differences for her is the country's mix of the old and the new, because China is progressing fast, but has so much history, whereas she feels the US has slowed down.

The report revealed differences between Chinese and overseas members of Generation Z. Asked about what their top concerns are after the pandemic is over, 40 percent of Chinese Generation Z participants chose illness (epidemics), social security and poverty alleviation, while 41 percent of international Generation Z members chose new technologies, climate change and economic development.

Wu Di contributed to this story.