Tangping (Lying Flat): Subjectivation, Lifestyles, and Voice among Young Chinese

Since the 2010s, new cultural phenomena have emerged in China among the young generation of people born during the "Chinese Miracle", all challenging the norms and values that the previous generation helped to create. The most interesting of these is Tangping (lying flat), a buzzword that was generated online.

It expresses a desire to escape the hyper-competitive culture that has become established in both education and the workplace, as well as the "responsibility ideology" which encourages people to work hard, marry, have babies, and consume. It is not only middle-class young people who are lying flat. All social categories are affected, but the way in which it is practised varies depending on people's social status. There are many ways to participate in the phenomenon, ranging from a complete change of life to a simple sign of distinction, and many "Tangpingists" only aspire to have a temporary "rest" from this exhausting society. Tangping has no organisation and no leaders. However, it poses a challenge to the Chinese Dream – the goal of building a prosperous society and making China a powerful country.

Download publication