Gen Z survey reveals common global perspectives

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.