Help me now and I’ll pay you later, says Chinese ‘graduate’ filmed begging for cash
Footage shows man asking for less than US$1 a time with promise that he will return the favour when he finally becomes successful
A man claiming to be a recent university graduate has been filmed begging for money – with a promise that he will pay people back when he becomes successful – in a video clip circulating on Chinese social media.
The twenty-something man was spotted on Wednesday sitting on a pedestrian bridge in Fuzhou, Fujian province beside a handmade sign saying: “It’s better to invest your money in me than a beggar.”
The man claimed to be receiving donations of only 5 yuan (US$0.75) each.
He even displayed a logbook for donors to leave their contact details, so that he could get back in touch to thank them when he is successful in future.
In the video posted on video-sharing site Pear Video on Sunday, the man claimed that he has been begging “since before National Day” on October 1, and that he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree last year.
“I am seeking help because I have recently experienced some hardships,” he said. “I hope that people will be able to invest in me, so I won’t have to stay like this forever.”
“When I finish reading these motivational books beside me, I will have even more inspiration to succeed.”
When asked how he would repay donors in future, the man said that at this moment he was not sure.
An unnamed Fuzhou resident interviewed in the video said it was difficult to know if anyone asking for money was genuine.
She added; “If he’s only asking for 5 yuan, then why not get a real job?”.
“I don’t think he’s tricking people since 5 yuan is a small amount of money,” said another citizen.
“If someone’s in genuine hardship, then giving them a few yuan is a small matter.”
Graduate unemployment is a source of growing concern in China, where there were a record-breaking eight million university leavers this year alone.
Tough job market conditions, low starting salaries and high living costs in China’s major cities have led to widespread discontent among young people, which is commonly expressed in their social media posts.
