What is "fuerdai"

Fuerdai is a Chinese term that means "the second generation of the rich". This term is currently often expressed in the Chinese media and everyday discussions in mainland China, as it incorporates some of the social and moral problems that are associated with modern Chinese society.

Fuerdai are sons and daughters of the Chinese nouveau riche of the early years of China's reform era (from the late 1970s onward). During the new era, in which private initiative could be rewarded by wealth, many new rich Chinese emerged in the former- socialist Chinese society. While such wealthy individuals may have reached their new socioeconomic position either through their own initiative and efforts or by becoming powerful members of the ruling party, their children often enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and have a much easier and obstacle-free life path. Most wealthy Chinese send their children abroad to get a better education. This especially true in the United States and parts of Canada where it is very common seeing well-off Chinese students attending universities driving expensive cars and wearing brand name clothing and gadgets which have price tags that are out of reach for the vast majority of American students. Universities look favorably to this kind of international students as they generate more revenue and tend to pay more fees. Places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, West Lafayette, Indiana (home to Purdue University), Toronto, Boston, New York and Dallas tend to have high numbers of Fuerdai, who will often attend university for four years and sell their cars right after graduation.