Some young US workers are having a China moment

Gen Z in the US is showing growing interest in aspects of China’s culture and economic policy, a shift that comes as many young people express frustration with the state of capitalism and the opportunities it offers. Some of this fascination is cultural: a TikTok trend captioned "You met me at a very Chinese time in my life" has users showcasing Chinese practices — a play on the final line from Fight Club, itself about rebelling against modern society.

China also faces clear problems, from human-rights violations to an ongoing real-estate crisis, and its own youth are struggling with employment and disengagement from the economy. That mix hasn’t stopped some Americans from carefully curating aspects of the US’s biggest economic rival.

It’s worth asking whether the attraction is to China itself or to a response against a system young people feel is broken.

United States

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