Editor's Note: The Chinese born in the 2000s are turning 18 years old. Here we share some stories showing how these millennials see the world and pursue their dreams with abundant resources and advanced education.
Early birds begin their college life
Wang Qi, born in 2000, entered Shanghai International Studies University in September 2017.
In face of others' praise, such as saying how smart she is to enter a prestigious school at such a young age, Wang feels flattered.
Though she is very young, Wang nicknamed herself Grandma Wang on the internet. She likes watching Japanese cartoons and her favorite online games are The Legend of Sword and Fairy Ⅲ and King of Glory.
I used to discuss how to play the game well with other players, and even took some notes, said Wang.
Wang made her life plan after entering university. I learned a foreign language, and want to get a postgraduate degree at a university in China. Then I will go overseas to get a PhD. At that time, I will be just 26 years old. Finally I will go back to China and seek a teaching job at a Chinese university, said Wang.
Younger than other classmates, Wang has challenges. She said: There are many exchange programs, but I cannot apply for them, because I am younger than 18 years old.
Since Wang experienced a single parent family and a blended family, the girl has her own opinions on love and marriage. Being in love with someone is really time–consuming. I would like to do some more interesting things rather than spend time building a romantic relationship with someone, said Wang.
As for dating, Li Long, also born in 2000, has his concerns.
A freshman in East China's Shandong Jianzhu University, Li is distressed because the girls he is attracted to at his university all think he is too young to have a relationship.
Though I am younger than the other classmates, I take care of them in daily life, said Li.
Li added: I don't like the prejudice toward people born in the 2000s, calling us pupils. Actually, some of the millennials are college or university students now.
Growing up to be tough guys in military camps
Many think we are very young. However, we have actually grown up, said a recruit.
It's reported that some recruits were born in September 2000, which means they will carry guns to defend our country.
We can endure hardships and are ready to accept everything, no matter what it is, said a recruit born in the 2000s. The young man said that the military campus is very cool. He enjoyed a fulfilling life there and felt happy, though he admitted he is very tired every day, in response to a question as to why he chose to be a military recruit.
Obviously, the millennials have to face many challenges. Some are common ones such as folding up their quilts.
And some are not that common.
For example, a recruit named Fan Shisen used to play games, watch TV dramas and chat with friends on his mobile phone, so he never slept before 12 am and never got up before 11 am. After waking up each morning, Fan used to pick up the phone beside his pillow to order takeout and begin a new day by logging on to apps.
Due to his unhealthy lifestyle, Fan, who is not tall, weighed almost 95 kilograms.
After entering the military campus, Fan had to hand in his mobile phone and could only get it back at free time. Besides, the young man would have to be in his bed at 10 pm and get up at 6 am.
During the first week, Fan could not help thinking of his phone and the takeout he once ordered because he couldn't fall asleep after lying in bed so early at night.
With more and more training, Fan has become accustomed to military life. He lost 25 kilograms after three and a half months of training.
It's the era of the millennials - Red Dot Design winner
Now it's the era for people born in the 2000s, said Yan Shaoting, 17, the youngest winner of Germany's Red Dot Design Award, one of the world's top three design awards.
Yan won the award with the Smart Helix, which he designed and produced. Install the little gadget when you hang up a picture, then you will find it's easy to hang a picture up straight without putting many holes into walls to find the right location for the nails.
Yan has enjoyed working with his hands since childhood and spent most of his spare time on things he was interested in.
The inspiration for the Smart Helix comes from my own life, said the 17 year old, who has gotten into the habit of solving daily problems with the knowledge he learned.
My mother always tells my twin brother and me that we have to be independent and do what we want to do. People born in the 2000s are diverse and ready to embrace many new ideas. Our dreams and attitudes toward the world we live in are also very diverse, said Yan.