Rallying cry

Chinese devour APEC leader bios

Seeking the light

However, Fang Zhouzi, a well-known science critic, has pointed out 13 mistakes in Zhou's article, such as inaccuracies about low wages and high cost of living in the US.

"I have read some similar fault-picking articles, but as far as I know, these kind of articles are heavily criticized on Twitter among Chinese students abroad," says Zhou. "Most of them agree that although there are some inaccurate data in my article, it reflects the reality of the US."

Despite doubts and criticisms of his writing, Zhou has no lack of supporters.

Zhou's blog has recorded more than 10 million views and his account on Sina Weibo, the popular Chinese micro-blog platform, has more than 500,000 followers.

The collection of his blog articles with the same title, Please Don't Fail the Era, has been published earlier this month and has already sold 30,000 copies.

Zhang Yiwu, a professor of Chinese literature at Peking University, writes commentary about why Zhou has become popular.

"Although Zhou's articles have defects and sometimes seem immature, they show us the dream and ambition of Chinese youth," says Zhang. "The most important is his identification with the country, which echoes with many of his contemporaries."

"He has found the common feeling and choice of China's silent majority."