Is this China’s most cynical child? Junior school pupil says getting rich will help him escape pointlessness of existence
Candid comments by boy dressed in young pioneer’s uniform cause a stir among Chinese social media users
A junior school student in China told a public speaking contest he dreams of getting rich to escape the repetitive loop of life, astonishing listeners with his candour and grown-up cynicism.
A video clip widely shared on Chinese social media over the weekend showed the unnamed student, from the city of Hangzhou in the eastern province of Zhejiang, saying he has felt pressured and exhausted by life, and worried about growing up.
“You work hard but only see limited returns, like you’re in an endless loop,” he said.
The clip gave away little about his identity, though the student wore around his neck the red scarf signifying membership of the 100 million-strong Young Pioneers of China, a group that urges young people to be tough and fight for communism.
“I want to be rich to overcome the meaninglessness of life,” he said in his four-minute talk. “With money you can do whatever you want.”
A male voice in the background could be heard saying repeatedly, “We’re finished.”