How an Academic Professor Became China’s New Gen Z Idol

The Rise of an Academic Icon Among Gen Z

Economic and technological advancements in China have brought severe competitive pressures for younger generations. A 23-year-old Chinese graduate, speaking anonymously to protect employment prospects, stated that the transition from education to the real world creates profound uncertainty. “People need something to hold onto. And his words make us feel like there is someone who truly understands us,” the graduate said.

This dynamic drew roughly 500 attendees—largely Chinese diaspora members—to a packed auditorium in Singapore, where Xiang lectured for over an hour in Mandarin. Following the event, crowds queued for photographs in what attendees described as an academic fan meeting. Media outlets in China report that the public sentiment is increasingly captured by a common phrase: “If in doubt, ask Biao Xiang.”

Challenging Institutional Validation and Seeking Meaning

During his lectures, Xiang addresses the heavy toll of seeking validation from rigid societal systems, such as competitive exams and stable career paths. He argues that tying self-worth directly to these benchmarks is mentally draining. Instead, he encourages individuals to seek authentic understanding through human connection as a healthier alternative to instant solutions.

Xiang addresses these topics directly in a political environment where public discontent often faces tight censorship. “Everyone knows where the problem lies, but they are reluctant to look at it,” Xiang noted in Singapore. “However, for an academic, it is not frightening if we can describe it—because that way we can analyze and handle it.”

Key Concepts Defining the Modern Chinese Youth Experience

To articulate the pressures facing contemporary society, Xiang coined specific conceptual terms that resonate deeply with younger demographics:

• “Floating”: Describes individuals working continuously simply to survive, likened by Xiang to a hummingbird constantly flapping its wings just to stay airborne.
• “Immediate environment”: Refers to the physical and social space directly surrounding a person, which Xiang argues is frequently neglected as people fixate simultaneously on things that are “very close” and “very far.”

Users on the social platform RedNote have praised his approach. One reviewer wrote that Xiang “consistently views various issues from the perspective of vulnerable groups, linking personal pressure with macro-scale factors.” Zihan Han, a young follower who considers Xiang a star sent from the sky, noted that other public figures lack his unique combination of analytical depth and directness.

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