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Young adults in China have recently embarked on a new trend called “tang ping,” the supposed antidote to the societal pressures of finding a good job and clocking in long hours.
In essence, “tang ping” (躺平), which literally translates to “lie flat,” is a deliberate rejection of the notorious rat race — a movement that does not advocate laziness but
“having different choices,” as some put it.
A Culture of Overwork
Chinese business leaders, particularly those in the tech industry — from Alibaba founder Jack Ma to JD.com Inc. chief Richard Liu — have promoted a “996 culture,” which requires employees to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.