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Fuerdai (; ) is a Chinese term for the children of the ''
nouveau riche ; ), new rich, or new money (in contrast to old money; ) is a social class of the rich whose wealth has been acquired within their own generation, rather than by familial inheritance. These people previously had belonged to a lower social cla ...
'' in
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
. This term, generally considered
pejorative A pejorative word, phrase, slur, or derogatory term is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hosti ...
, is often invoked in the
Chinese media The mass media in the People's Republic of China primarily consists of television, newspapers, radio, and magazines. Since the start of the 21st century, the Internet has also emerged as an important form of mass media and is under the direct ...
and everyday discussions in
mainland China "Mainland China", also referred to as "the Chinese mainland", is a Geopolitics, geopolitical term defined as the territory under direct administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War. In addit ...
as it incorporates some of the social and moral problems associated with modern Chinese society. The
Chinese economic reform Reform and opening-up ( zh, s=改革开放, p=Gǎigé kāifàng), also known as the Chinese economic reform or Chinese economic miracle, refers to a variety of economic reforms termed socialism with Chinese characteristics and socialist marke ...
in the late 1970s has enabled some to accumulate great amounts of wealth. While the Fuyidai, the parents of the Fuerdai, may have reached their new socioeconomic position either through their success in business or through political connections, their children often enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with an obstacle-free life path. Many wealthy Chinese send their children abroad for their education. In the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, Europe, and parts of
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
, well-off Chinese
international students International students or exchange students, also known as foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their Secondary education, secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. In 2022, there were over 6.9 m ...
ostentatiously consume products that are too expensive for almost all North American and European students. Universities view such students favorably, since they pay higher
tuition fee Tuition payments, usually known as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in Commonwealth English, are fees charged by education institutions for instruction or other services. Besides public spending (by governments and other public bo ...
s.


Definition and etymology

The term "Fuerdai" literally translates to 'rich second generation'. It describes Chinese people born into families of high
socioeconomic Economics () is a behavioral science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interac ...
status, who inherited their wealth but did not create it. The term is often used in a derogatory manner, with emphasis on their overindulgent lifestyles and materialistic attitudes. There is an alternative conception of Fuerdais as productive and educated individuals who contribute to the Chinese economy. In this view, some Fuerdais are not merely indulging in a lavish lifestyle, but sustaining and further increasing their inherited wealth. In response to the pejorative "Fuerdai", another term "Chuangerdai" (创 二代) emphasizes the
entrepreneurial Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value in ways that generally entail beyond the minimal amount of risk (assumed by a traditional business), and potentially involving values besides simply economic ones. An entrepreneu ...
attitudes of those born into wealth. The term has also seen limited use as a general label for anyone with rich parents and who enjoyed a privileged upbringing as a result. Non-Chinese figures, such as
Fidel Castro Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (13 August 1926 – 25 November 2016) was a Cuban politician and revolutionary who was the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008, serving as the prime minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and President of Cuba, president ...
and
Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
, have been described by Chinese media as Fuerdais.


History


Origins

The Fuerdai generation emerged two decades after China's economic reform in 1978. Amid the mass migration of rural Chinese to urban regions, policies such as the Open Door Policy enabled China's economy to grow quickly. Growing investment and international trade enabled some to accumulate large amounts of wealth, including those who had previously been poor; they are called the "Fuyidai" (; ). The Fuerdai generation succeeded the Fuyidai generation, born starting in the 1980s. Fuerdais enjoyed an improved quality of life after the economic reform due to their parents' wealth. Unlike their parents, they did not create their wealth, but inherited it.


2010s

Media coverage in China about Fuerdais increased in the 2010s, scrutinizing their lifestyles. They were depicted as spoiled inheritors who were ungrateful for their wealth and excessively consumed luxury goods. Depictions of the Fuerdai on social media deepened the wider Chinese population's hostility toward Fuerdais. A growing number of Fuerdais have opted to study abroad for university. In Australia, many university students are Chinese
international students International students or exchange students, also known as foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their Secondary education, secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. In 2022, there were over 6.9 m ...
from wealthy backgrounds. Consequently,
Chinese Australians Chinese Australians () are Australians of Chinese origin. Chinese Australians are one of the largest groups within the global Chinese diaspora, and are the largest Asian Australian community. Per capita, Australia has more people of Chine ...
have developed a disdain toward Fuerdais similar to that of their counterparts in
mainland China "Mainland China", also referred to as "the Chinese mainland", is a Geopolitics, geopolitical term defined as the territory under direct administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War. In addit ...
.


Characteristics

Fuerdais are characterized as beneficiaries of inherited wealth, consuming luxury goods like
designer clothing Designer clothing refers to apparel created by a specific fashion designer or licensed by a person or brand. It is often considered luxury clothing, known for its high quality and haute couture appeal, made for the general public and bearing the ...
and accessories and luxury vehicles. With mostly unrestricted access to their parent's money, they stereotypically focus on "food, clothes and leisure to housing", favoring well-known exquisite material goods with respect to their commercial brand and country of origin. According to Sherry Jueyu Wu, the consumption of distinct and reputable products forms a part of the Fuerdais' identity as a social class. Social media is the public's primary source to learn about the daily lives of Fuerdais and is recognized by the Fuerdais as a tool to amplify their popularity and influence. Their parents are often highly influential people with management or executive positions in the
private sector The private sector is the part of the economy which is owned by private groups, usually as a means of establishment for profit or non profit, rather than being owned by the government. Employment The private sector employs most of the workfo ...
or the government, or celebrities such as actors and singers. Owing to their parents' wealth, they face less troubles in life than their less wealthy counterparts. In contrast to the lives of ordinary people, their
consumerist ''Consumerist'' (also known as ''The Consumerist'') was a non-profit consumer affairs website owned by Consumer Media LLC, a subsidiary of ''Consumer Reports'', with content created by a team of full-time reporters and editors. The site's focu ...
lifestyles accentuate feelings about
social class A social class or social stratum is a grouping of people into a set of Dominance hierarchy, hierarchical social categories, the most common being the working class and the Bourgeoisie, capitalist class. Membership of a social class can for exam ...
.


Education

Fuerdais are much more likely to be
international students International students or exchange students, also known as foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their Secondary education, secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own. In 2022, there were over 6.9 m ...
than young Chinese adults as a whole. They often choose to study in
Western countries The Western world, also known as the West, primarily refers to various nations and states in Western Europe, Northern America, and Australasia; with some debate as to whether those in Eastern Europe and Latin America also constitute the West. ...
because the Chinese education system is intensely demanding or they want to live in foreign countries, with their affluent Fuyidai parents financing their overseas living. Particularly high percentages of Chinese international students study in Australia (28.9% of all Australian students in 2013), the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. Outside China, opportunities in
tertiary education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...
for international students has substantially risen. The wealth of Fuerdai students is conspicuous in their clothing, luxury cars, dwellings and other luxury goods. In stark contrast, most of the local population cannot afford the same goods. Like in China, Western social media depicts the lifestyles of Fuerdais in overseas countries. Some Fuerdais, following current fashion trends, participate in the
Hypebeast Hypebeast may refer to: * Hypebeast culture, a contemporary youth culture focused on clothing styles *Hypebeast (company) Hypebeast is a Hong Kong–listed company that focuses on contemporary culture and lifestyle. It was originally founded in 2 ...
subculture due to their interest in social media influence.


Public image

The Chinese public's opinion of Fuerdais is overwhelmingly negative. They are stereotyped as arrogant, spoiled and
hedonistic Hedonism is a family of philosophical views that prioritize pleasure. Psychological hedonism is the theory that all human behavior is motivated by the desire to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. As a form of egoism, it suggests that peopl ...
people who engage in negligent and obnoxious behavior that is worthy of widespread condemnation. Media reports on their perceived misbehavior have helped develop the public image of the Fuerdai. Anger toward Fuerdais reflects widespread frustration with social class and
mobility Mobility may refer to: Social sciences and humanities * Economic mobility, ability of individuals or families to improve their economic status * Geographic mobility, the measure of how populations and goods move over time * Mobilities, a conte ...
in China. Hostility toward Fuerdais extends beyond scorning ostentatious consumption. After a 2011 murder of a fuerdai, resentful comments included "he deserved to die" and "the murder was nicely done". In the murders of the Fuerdais Ming Qu and Ying Wu in 2012, a commenter described it as "deserved". Many Fuerdais conceal their wealth and social status, such as by avoiding social media, to avoid vitriol from members of the general public and scrutiny from the
Chinese Communist Party The Communist Party of China (CPC), also translated into English as Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is the founding and One-party state, sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Founded in 1921, the CCP emerged victorious in the ...
. They fear damage to their reputation, which would diminish their wealth, and punishment from the government by means such as imprisonment. Chinese leader
Xi Jinping Xi Jinping, pronounced (born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has been the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China), chairman of the Central Military Commission ...
's targeting of billionaires in the 2010s and 2020s further discouraged Fuerdais from showy behavior. Contrastingly, Fuerdais argue that animosity toward them arises from jealousy of their wealth. A competing perception of Fuerdais is that they are capable successors who sustain and increase their family's wealth.


Controversies

Incidents that involve Fuerdais have stirred public outrage toward their perceived spoiled and irresponsible behavior. In the stereotypical perception of Fuerdais, their family background, wealth and social influence shield them from facing the consequences of their negligent actions. Such incidents have also adversely impacted their parents, who have lost respect, influence or positions of authority. In criminal incidents, it is believed that Fuerdais more easily escape punishment for their crimes due to
double standards A double standard is the application of different sets of principles for situations that are, in principle, the same. It is often used to describe treatment whereby one group is given more latitude than another. A double standard arises when two ...
. In the
Li Gang incident The Li Gang incident occurred on the evening of October 16, 2010, inside Hebei University in Baoding in Hebei province of China, when a black Volkswagen Magotan traveling down a narrow lane hit two university students. One of them, 20-year-old Ch ...
, 22-year-old Li Qiming was involved in a fatal vehicle accident in 2010 while
driving under the influence Driving under the influence (DUI) is the crime of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while one is impaired from doing so safely by the effect of either alcohol (drug), alcohol (see drunk driving) or some other drug, whether re ...
, killing a university student and injuring another. Allegedly, Li said "Go ahead, sue me. My father is Li Gang." In 2011, he was sentenced to six years in prison. His remark has often been quoted on social media in negative portrayals of other Fuerdais. In 2012,
Ling Jihua Ling Jihua (born 22 October 1956) is a former Chinese politician and one of the principal political advisers of former leader Hu Jintao. Ling was best known for his tenure as director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party between ...
's son, 23-year-old Ling Gu, crashed while driving, killing himself and a woman. The incident drew much media coverage after initial censorship. His son's misbehavior may have led to Ling Jihua being removed from his position as chief of the
General Office of the Chinese Communist Party The General Office of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, often referred to as the Central Office (), is an office directly under the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of providing support for the Cent ...
, among other charges including corruption and bribery. Fuerdais' ostentatious consumption of luxury goods and publicly known statements have caused controversies. News of incidents on
social media Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the Content creation, creation, information exchange, sharing and news aggregator, aggregation of Content (media), content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongs ...
, where discussions about Fuerdais are dominated by disdain toward them, have deepened the public's hostility toward Fuerdais. Several controversies have involved their own displaying their wealth on social media. Famously, in 2016
Wang Sicong Wang Sicong ( zh, s=王思聪, p=Wáng Sīcōng; born 3 January 1988) is a Chinese businessman, and the only son of Chinese business magnate Wang Jianlin. Early life Wang Sicong was born in Dalian, Liaoning, China, in 1988. His father Wang Ji ...
posted a photograph of his dog wearing
Apple Watch The Apple Watch is a brand of smartwatch products developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple. It incorporates activity tracker, fitness tracking, Health (Apple), health-oriented capabilities, and wireless telecommunication, and integrates wit ...
es worth $20,000 on social media. Moreover, Wang drew contempt for stating that his most important criterion for a romantic partner was "
buxom {{Short pages monitor