Hiring in China Tips: Understanding Tang Ping

In 2016, factory worker Luo Huazhong made the courageous decision to revolutionise his life: by doing nothing. Little did he know that this leap of faith would spark a movement and commentary on China’s work culture and life outside work.

Luo Huazhong, whose online handle is “Kind-Hearted Traveller”, gained recognition for his collection of essays, articles and social media posts. These posts described his minimalistic and ‘chilled’ approach to life. Tang Ping, which translates to ‘Lying Flat’, is also hailed as a protest against the intense hustle culture in China’s corporate landscape. This “quiet rebellion” has struck a chord with many young people in China. It has also resonated with those who feel overworked and pressured to meet their employer’s excessive demands.

Over the past year, the Tang Ping movement has picked up steam, with more people sharing their stories and experiences of ‘lying flat’. Some have even called out specific companies and bosses who they feel are responsible for the toxic work environment.

How has China received the Tang Ping Movement?

Whilst the Tang Ping Movement has been received positively by many young people in China, some are actively working to stamp out its message. Government officials have heavily restricted the phrase ‘Tang Ping’ on the Chinese internet, and Beijing has interpreted the movement as a threat to their deeply entrenched economic values. To further extinguish this idea, officials have promoted a counter-narrative, encouraging young people to graft on behalf of China’s future.

“To lie flat means to forgo marriage, not have children, stay unemployed and eschew material wants such as a house or a car. It is the opposite of what China’s leaders have asked of their people.” – Economic Times. It is also used as a term to give up; for example, enthusiastic supporters of China’s zero covid policy consider the western approach to living with the virus as ‘lying flat’. Some people will even accuse those who have left China this year of lying flat!

China’s internet regulator ordered online platforms to “heavily restrict” new posts on Tang Ping in May 2021. The New York Times further comments, “A second directive required e-commerce platforms to stop selling clothes, phone cases and other merchandise branded with ‘Tang Ping’.”

China’s Work Culture

The working culture in China is very demanding, and employees must juggle extended hours and high expectations from employers. A standard working pattern amongst many office workers is 9-9-6, meaning employees work six days a week from 9am to 9pm. Whilst this concept may be challenging for Western workers to understand, it is nothing new for many Chinese individuals. This intense approach to work-life balance is the fibre of the Chinese curriculum. Educators expect Children to study for long hours each day and the importance of academic success is apparent to all. 

Education is critical in Chinese society, and attending a good school is a driving factor for many students. However, students are required to compete with one another for the best grades, rankings and access to these prestigious schools.

The life of a Chinese student heavily centres around their responsibilities in the classroom and on homework assignments. Many high school children in urban areas attend class 6-6.5 days a week, 7am- 9pm. Their school days consist of tutoring, studying for exams (like gaokao), and doing household chores like cooking meals or washing dishes while also devoting time to group activities. Regardless, the exciting prospects that await academically excellent individuals drive many students to excel. High-powered careers and dreams of prosperity are reserved only for the highest achievers.

However, for many young graduates, these dreams remain just that. Youth unemployment in China is rampant, and the number of young people withdrawing from the job market is rising. The South China Morning Post stated: “a survey by Weibo, conducted between 28 May and 3 June 2021, found that 61 per cent of the 241,000 participants said they want to embrace the lying flat attitude”. The existing factors, coupled with the crippling effect of the pandemic and US tensions, are snowballing the issue. 

Generational Differences 

There is a huge gap between China’s new and old generations. China has undergone dramatic economic, political and cultural transformations. However, the new generation are widely regarded as individualistic, selfish and creative- engaged in pursuing self-achievement. A by-product of this cultural shift is the rise of the ‘Tangping’ culture amongst the Gen-Z generation (post-2000) and Millenials. Compared to the older generations, they value a greater work/life balance. They want a better working environment and an equal relationship (or less power distance) with their boss.

Considering your hiring strategy and the impact of Tang Ping depends on who you hire. If you plan to hire entry-level candidates, likely recent graduates, you should be wary of this group’s priorities at work. Conversely, older generations tend to value a higher salary instead of a good work/life balance. Therefore, you should consider the generational difference when hiring for positions.

Luo continues to live a minimalistic lifestyle, filling his day with projects and activities that make him happy. He also actively encourages others to follow in his footsteps. His ideologies continue to gain popularity, as does his online presence (which even inspired a song). 

To learn more about China’s economic situation, keep a close eye on our blog page! You can also follow us on Linkedin…or get in touch.