- EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 02/Jul 23:49

Issues Facing Young Cadres In China – Analysis

By Zhao Zhijiang In the context of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a cadre refers to a party member who holds a position of authority or responsibility within the party-state system. This includes individuals in leadership or administrative positions across government, state-owned enterprises, and other public institutions. The quality of China's younger generation of cadre workforce is a crucial factor influencing the nation's future development. As a vital component of the power structure, they wield significant authority, impacting resource allocation, shaping policy decisions, and potentially playing a decisive role in China's overall economic and social progression. Through numerous field investigations and consultations with relevant individuals, researchers at ANBOUND have identified a multitude of challenges within the current cohort of young cadres. Examples of the issues observed include errors in addressing senior leaders, widespread typographical and grammatical mistakes in official government documents, a lack of familiarity with administrative and business etiquette, among others. While many of these young cadres possess impressive academic credentials, including degrees in fields such as economics and finance, with some even holding doctoral qualifications, such credentials do not necessarily reflect the realities of the professional world. In practice, many of these individuals are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of real-world challenges, especially when compared to experienced career officials. Despite their theoretical knowledge, they often lack the practical experience necessary to navigate complex situations. Furthermore, some high-achieving cadres tend to focus on technical concepts, but when faced with substantial problems, they quickly find themselves out of their depth. Additionally, in terms of interpersonal interactions, certain young cadres exhibit a sense of inflated authority, using their position and academic credentials to create hierarchical distinctions in relationships that should be based on equality, often displaying a sense of superiority in their dealings with others. Many young cadres move directly from their family environment to academic institutions, and then onto governmental positions. This path often leaves them without grassroots experience or practical exposure. As a result, they tend to adopt ineffective working methods and lack hands-on experience, which can lead them to transfer the systemic shortcomings of China's education system into their professional work. Consequently, while they may excel in their academic fields, their understanding of broader societal structures remains insufficient. Without practical training and a clear sense of self-awareness, addressing these gaps in knowledge is difficult in the short term. More often than not, they are not receptive to criticism. As these young officials are critical to China's future, and whether or not their abilities can be developed poses a significant challenge to Chinese society. Recently, governments nationwide in the country have initiated efforts to address issues among young officials, such as disengagement, improper attitudes, and poor conduct. These efforts include self-assessment activities like study sessions and reflection meetings. Some of these young officials noted that, despite their inexperience, it is necessary to avoid complacency and take responsibility. They emphasize the need to eliminate passive behavior, adhere to deadlines, maintain proper online conduct, and engage in community service. One official from Hubei noted that the focus for young cadres should be on service, not comfort. To address issues with young cadres' conduct, various local governments are exploring innovative supervision mechanisms for comprehensive management of their development. For instance, an institution in the southern China has introduced a "Behavior Record Form" to track learning, work habits, and lifestyle, linking it to performance evaluations and promotions. In another city, a district commission has launched an initiative targeting inefficiency and complacency while strengthening daily oversight. A provincial commission is focusing on addressing misconduct linked to corruption, ensuring strict penalties for young leaders violating central regulations to maintain a clean political environment. The current review and rectification efforts, from small provincial bureaus to larger universities and local governments, address not only the skill gaps of young cadres but also the shortcomings in their mindset and attitude. This situation may reflect a deeper generational cultural divide, mirroring societal anxieties about imbalances in contemporary China. The issues of a declining birthrate, underachievement, and misplaced pride are present not just in society, but also in government institutions. Today's young cadres, primarily those born in the 1980s and 1990s, grew up in an era of rapid economic growth and improved living standards, often as the only child in their families. Their upbringing focused on academic achievement, with other responsibilities often left to their parents. This has resulted in these generations today facing the challenges of low birth rates and delayed maturity. According to a senior researcher at ANBOUND, these generations have been shaped by deep internet immersion, gaming, and virtual realities. Their life experiences are built on instant gratification and feedback, and they prefer digital payments, short videos, and online interactions over traditional learning or face-to-face communication. Consequently, many struggle with the differences between their virtual and real-world experiences when entering government, lacking the readiness to engage with practical responsibilities, let alone serve the public. A paradox has therefore emerged. On one hand, China's public sector heavily relies on young people to fill staffing gaps, yet on the other hand, these young officials often exhibit emotional instability, inefficiency, disengagement, and a focus on distractions. In a sense, they seem like a "lost generation", not due to lack of ability, but because of a disconnect from the real world, lacking the psychological mechanisms needed to navigate it. All in all, they have not received effective training in this area throughout their growth process In fact, China's social transformation has not given this generation true opportunities for participation. Rapid urbanization and growing family wealth have turned young people into mere observers of the "structural dividends" rather than active participants. When circumstances reverse, faced with high housing prices and intense job competition, many young people fall into the illusion that "effort is meaningless". "Lying flat" is no longer just a choice, but an emotional response that they see as their only option. The current rectification of young cadres is not merely about correcting their work style, but an early systemic repair aimed at shaping future leaders. Its true significance lies in structural design and reform, not just rectification. The goal is to strengthen young cadres' sense of responsibility and reality, encouraging their active involvement in complex tasks like local governance, social services, and public consultation, thereby guiding them to become hardworking, resilient, and selflessly dedicated. Final analysis conclusion: The quality of young cadres is a critical factor that shapes China's development. The ongoing rectification of young cadres across various regions in the country is not merely about correcting their work style, but an early systemic repair within the governance framework. This proactive approach ensures that these future leaders are well-prepared to continue advancing effectively. Zhijiang Zhao is a Research Fellow for Geopolitical Strategy programme at ANBOUND, an independent think tank.