They are a new kind of young people: They dye their hair different colors, wear necklaces around their necks, beads on their wrists and rings in their noses and ears. They put temporary tattoos with the words “hello kitty” on their chests and various small decorations on their clothes. They also like to wear black or brightly colored vests and overalls and shoes with broad toes and very thick soles. They often can be seen riding skateboards, dancing in discos and enjoying themselves in bars.

They are very young. Most were born in the 1970s or 1980s. Having mastered computer skills, they are used to communicating on-line or through e-mail. With the aid of the Internet, they have access to much more information than the older generation. On their delicate faces is a very cool expression—they are confident of doing things in their own way. Finding them incomprehensible, their elders often cast puzzled glances at them. These young people are called the “New-new People.”

This term began to be used two years ago. It originated in Japan and Taiwan. In the United States, they are called “Generation Y,” which followed “Generation X,” the people who were born in the 1960s.

Talking about his generation, Xu Zhiyuan, a graduate from Peking University who was born in 1976, said the New-new People are the most significant transitional generation since the late 20th century. This is because the people who lived before them were overwhelmed by collectivism, and the isolation during that period obscured the changes taking place in the outside world.

Sun Yunxiao, deputy director of the China Youth Research Center, noted that this generation is the best one in history because it is growing up on the shoulders of the “giant.” The term “giant” here refers to the era of information and reform.

With their dyed hair, baggy South Korean clothes, and the names of Japanese and South Korean singers and film stars on their lips, Zhang Yu, 16, and her classmates often are considered to be Japanese or Korean themselves.

“There is nothing in reality that we are not satisfied with, but I’m afraid reality is not satisfied with us,” said Zhang.

At present, many youth are addicted to Japanese and South Korean fashions. Available statistics show that during the past 20 years, overseas culture, from Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1980s and from Japan and South Korea in the 1990s, has exerted great influence on culture in the mainland of China.

While pursuing Japanese and South Korean lifestyles, the New-new People also take things from other countries, such as McDonald’s food and foreign films. In their eyes, the world is a colorful kaleidoscope.

Getting away from blind idolatry, the younger generation has begun to pay more attention to their own feelings while observing what is happening around them.

Han Han, 17, a former student, is one of them. He once set off a hot debate in society. Instead of going to school, he stayed at home and devoted himself to writing a full-length novel Triple Door. As soon as it was published it sparked great concern among society. A heated debate on whether Han Han was a genuinely talented person erupted in all quarters of society.

Talking about himself, Han Han said, “It is hard for me to be brief about my disposition. But one thing is sure: I like doing things my own way rather than following others.”

The New-new People are open to sex. A survey on sex and marriage was conducted on the Internet among those who were born in the 1980s. About 25.5 percent approved of cyber love, 31 percent thought it unrealistic, 14.6 percent considered it senseless, and 19.1 percent thought it was a way of alleviating psychological pressure.

In answering the question about two people of different genders living together without a legal marriage, only 29.9 percent reject it. The younger generation also is lenient about homosexuality.

Some experts say the New-new People phenomenon is simply part of growth. Most New-new People are in their teenage years, which is a period for rebellion. The New-new People are not unstable in regards to their aspirations, thinking and even numbers. But they are likely to be affected by strange thinking and behavior. They like to seek out fashionable things and often accept them blindly. Hence, to correctly guide them rather than making unwarranted criticisms is the responsibility of the whole society, so that they may smoothly get over this period in which they are easily swayed in their thinking.

Recalling the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai’s tolerant attitude toward American hippies in the 1970s, some experts say people should look and treat the New-New People with Zhou’s open-minded view.

Zhou Enlai said, “Not being satisfied with the present situation, young people all over the world are eager to seek the truth. In this process, their thinking will fluctuate in various forms and take a long time to establish a fixed pattern. Universal truths like natural law will finally be accepted by the people according to human development. I support the spirit of young people in seeking truth through practice. During this process, one thing must be certain, that is, the interests of the majority of the people should be considered so that the majority of mankind can develop and progress, and be happy.”

(Beijing Review 06/01/2001)