The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) launched a new international cooperation project, “KFAW Consulate Series,” comprising lectures given by consuls general of consulates located in Fukuoka Prefecture. As the first round of the series, the international understanding seminar titled “Young Chinese Today” was held at Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Equality Center, MOVE, on August 18, 2012. The seminar attracted an oversubscribed audience of approximately 100. While approximately 40% of participants were male, 30% were in their 30s or younger. The seminar was therefore unique in that it attracted many more men and young people than other events held by KFAW.
Consul General Li Tian Ran of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Fukuoka was invited to this seminar as a lecturer. He spoke about employment, marriage and families in China, as well as other related topics.
In China, against the backdrop of the one-child policy, the achievement of rapid economic development, and the transition from a planned economy to a market economy, the mindset of young people has changed considerably.
Currently, marriages that parents decided are fewer among young people. Most people in the country embrace the freedom of love and the freedom of marriage. And it is not common to divide roles based on the gender stereotype of “men (fathers) = working outside; and women (mothers) = doing household chores and child rearing.” It is natural for women to work outside the home in China. Moreover, there are concerns over the high divorce rate, the tendency to marry later, and other problems, many of which are shared by Japan.
Meanwhile, in China, there is serious concern over the economic disparity between agricultural areas and urban areas. In agricultural areas, many children cannot receive appropriate education due to economic reasons. Also, in such areas, many families wish to have boys, who are expected to be of use as a labor force. This has resulted in a disparity in the birth ratios of boys and girls, causing a considerable problem.
In addition to the above topics, Consul General Li Tian Ran spoke about Chinese customs and employment problems, providing a good opportunity to know more about young Chinese people and Chinese society.
The seminar was followed by an exchange of opinions with college students in Kitakyushu City, who asked many questions of the Consul General. At the end of the program, the Consul General delivered a sincere message along the lines of “Although there are still many problems between the two countries, I believe if we can consider various things from a broader perspective, the future relationship between Japan and China will become much brighter. I hope that the young people who will lead the next generation work together and play an active role in the international community.”
