(Ecns.cn)--About two-hundred million babies were born in China between 1980 and 1989, according to China Yearbook, an annual compilation of statistics published by central government agencies.
Those babies grew up in a rapidly-modernizing China to form a "post-80s" generation characterized by critical attitudes, consumerism and passion for entrepreneurship.
As the country's economy grows and its society changes, so do they; and with more chances for self-development than their parents, the 20-somethings tend to dream big while doing what they must to improve their plight.
However, reality is cruel. Though some, like Li Xiang, the multi-millionaire owner of pcpop.com, have made big fortunes, most struggle for survival at the bottom rungs of society.
New generation migrant workers
Post-80s kids who come to big cities for better lives form a lonely group, and usually find it hard to integrate into urban society. They are the new generation of migrants, who struggle with low wages, humble living conditions and social exclusion.
26-year-old Tang Xiaoning is such a worker, living in Hainan Province. "I left my hometown when I was 17, and have worked in many cities since, including Shenzhen, Dongguan and Foshan in Guangdong Province. I thought I would have a better life than my parents, but after years of hard work I find that neither my lifestyle nor my social status has changed, except that my salary is a little higher than my parents."
"My dream now is to find a wife," added Tang. "I feel so lonely."
Gong Jingping lives with her husband and son in Shenzhen, where they can only afford a small room of eight square meters equipped with two beds, one table, an old fan and an antique black-and-white TV.
"My son is 21 years old, and very shy. He graduated from a vocational school and used to work at the city's science park with a monthly salary of 2,000 yuan ($309). But he quit, saying that it was not a promising job. Now our farmland in our hometown has been reclaimed. I really don't know what to do with my son," said Gong.
"My biggest wish is to save some money, buy a house in my hometown and find him a wife," she added. "But given the current situation, it is impossible."
Statistics from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions show that post-80s migrants already exceed 100 million, accounting for 60.9% of the total migrant worker population, nearly half of the country's total work force.
Unlike previous generations, which mainly focused on making money, the youngsters also hope to develop themselves and find a sense of belonging in cities. But because of their political, social, economic and cultural exclusion, it is very hard for them to realize such dreams.
The new generation of migrant workers is taking on new characteristics, said Chi Fulin, director of the China Institute for Reform and Development (Hainan), adding that, instead of offering financial assistance, more social policies should be created to provide them with equal citizenship.
