In recent years, as China has faced a triple crisis of epidemic containment, real estate downturn, and overcapacity, its economy continues to deteriorate. Youth employment has become increasingly challenging, leading some college students to consider studying abroad as their escape route, and a shortcut out of China.
According to a report by Radio Free Asia on January 29, Xiao Yin, who is about to graduate from university, had previously inquired about job prospects from a senior student with good academic background. She found that relying solely on a university degree to secure a good job is not easy in the current economic climate.
She said, “The economy in China is very poor now, and classmates are generally more pessimistic. If you only want to survive, you can still find long but low-paying jobs, but you may have to work harder. As an undergraduate, I am not eager to start working immediately after graduation, and I might consider continuing to pursue postgraduate studies.”
However, she also pointed out, “Choosing to pursue a master’s degree does not mean I want to pursue an academic career in the future. It’s because the devaluation of qualifications is so severe, and we need this degree as a stepping stone.”
During the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, the Chinese government implemented extreme lockdown measures, and after the lifting of restrictions, many Chinese people sought opportunities to leave China.
She mentioned that many of her friends are also aiming to emigrate. “During our four years at university, we were impacted by the pandemic for two years, facing repeated lockdowns and ‘zero COVID’ policies. This kind of exhausting and restrictive living condition made us reflect and realize that our unhappiness is not due to our own mental well-being but rather external pressures. The pandemic made everyone gradually realize that our unhappiness is not our own fault, but the result of the system being unkind to us, which is why we want to emigrate and leave.”
She stated that the three years of the epidemic have awakened their generation from the indoctrination of “patriotic education.” “The pandemic served as a very clear catalyst; everyone’s political awareness began to awaken, realizing that we have been controlled and are not truly free. After awakening, we discovered that ‘patriotism’ is an ideology forced upon us, for better control and authority. The White Paper Movement was the accumulation and eruption of this emotion. During the strictest lockdown in Shanghai, even classmates who I thought were very obedient were voicing their protests on social media, and not just one, which surprised me.”
Prior to leaving China, Xiao Yin decided to pursue further studies in Hong Kong due to its proximity to China. However, during a family trip abroad, she was shocked to learn about the changes in Hong Kong following the implementation of the National Security Law. Despite this, she decided not to change her plans to go to Hong Kong, as she believes that even if things are challenging in Hong Kong, it is still freer than mainland China.
“I also want to see for myself what has been happening in Hong Kong and show support for the Hong Kong people who are still persevering,” she added.
Tom, who is a few years older than Xiao Yin, left the country before the pandemic and had not experienced the lockdown but had long believed that China was like a massive prison.
He said, “My decision to leave the country was not due to economic reasons. If I had stayed in China, getting a job in a state-owned enterprise or a bank would have been easy for me, but I would never go back. China is definitely a big prison, maybe with a shiny exterior and tall buildings, but the essence of it being a prison has not changed. People in China have very different values, ideology, and are surrounded by misinformation every day, which can be very stifling. I am completely certain that this environment is not suitable for me. Since middle school, I had been thinking about leaving every day, and in high school, I started planning how to persuade my parents to allow me to study abroad. Successfully leaving China was the beginning of my emancipation. Regardless of the challenges of life abroad, even if it’s tough, I am truly free.”
Regarding Xiao Yin’s decision to go to Hong Kong, Tom believes that after the crackdown on the anti-extradition movement, Hong Kong is no longer significantly different from other cities in China.
He expressed concern, “Now with a large outflow of people from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government wants to attract bright students from China to become ‘new Hong Kongers.’ I know many classmates who went to Hong Kong, and they all share similar characteristics of being very enthusiastic and pro-Communist. These people going to Hong Kong will definitely poison that society, and I can hardly imagine what kind of impact it will have on Hong Kong.”
Tom admitted that after living abroad for several years, he realized that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and foreign societies also have their own set of issues. However, compared to living under constant surveillance in China, he finds life abroad to be more fulfilling.
He mentioned that shortly after moving abroad, he purposely took a trip to Taiwan and was impressed by its democratic system and freedom. “There is no such thing back home. I don’t even know who my district’s People’s Congress representative is. When I was in China, the development of the region had nothing to do with me; it was all planned by the Communist Party. The difference between me and Taiwanese people lies exactly here.”
Tom stated that having a vote truly signifies having a home and a country, and he hopes to obtain permanent residency and cast his first ballot soon in the upcoming year.