Encouraging youth to achieve their dreams

Editor's note: Over the past years, China's socioeconomic situation has undergone significant transformation. Faced with challenges and opportunities, the Chinese government has been making concerted efforts to promote social development and high-quality growth. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.

A recent study by Harvard Graduate School of Education and Indiana University found that an overwhelming majority (81 percent) of American teens face tremendous pressure regarding their achievements, appearance and future. American teens are not alone. In China, too, the youth face neijuan, unnecessary excessive peer competition, and tangping, continuing to coast on the "chosen path" despite facing challenges.

I have the good fortune of working with the best and brightest university students throughout the world, including those in China. I know firsthand that strong academic performance and high test grades hold the key to admission to the best universities and to secure the best jobs. I also know that after graduation, youth face extremely tough competition to get suitable jobs, especially during times of unemployment and economic challenges. This problem is again not unique to China and this pressure, if not checked, can become dysfunctional.