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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, January 20 (Xinhua) — At three o'clock in the afternoon, freshman Li Xiang is already seated at a table by the window in a coffee shop near a university in Beijing. He carefully cleans his glasses and quietly recites the introduction – this is his first attempt at organizing a "coffee chat" for skill-sharing, and his conversation partner will be a video blogger he's never met before.
His excitement is understandable: this isn't just a meeting; it's his first "coffee chat"—a communication format that has emerged in international professional circles and has become a new trend among young Chinese in recent years. In a highly competitive labor market and "involution" (neijuan), "coffee chat" has become a practical tool for informal learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and breaking down information bubbles.
Young people post their "skill lists" on social media: some offer knowledge of foreign languages or programming, others the ability to play musical instruments. In exchange, they want to learn photography, cooking, or gain insider information in other fields. The key to this format is achieving a specific goal. Neither age nor social status is important here—the only thing that matters is that the parties can be useful to each other.
FROM ALARM TO ACTION
After taking the national university entrance exam, also known as the gaokao, Li Xiang stumbled upon a major related to new media by chance. Although he knew little about the field, curiosity prompted him to try out a "coffee chat" format he saw on social media.
After much deliberation, he began screening potential interviewees among industry experts and settled on a blogger who wrote that he wanted to learn how modern students view the new media industry. This proved to be the perfect starting point for a mutually beneficial dialogue. Li Xiang wrote a brief introduction, outlined the purpose of the meeting, and attached a list of questions. After sending the message, he was alarmed at his haste, but a few days later, he received an agreement to meet the following Wednesday.
The conversation was easy and relaxed. The blogger discussed short video content creation, then moved on to career growth and developing professional competencies. In 40 minutes, Li Xiang gained valuable insider information and was invited to join the online community of content creators.
Freelancer Song Kairui, known for his outgoing personality, has already held 17 offline skill-sharing meetups in Beijing. He traded advice on living abroad for photography secrets and shared behind-the-scenes insights based on psychology. "When you dream of mastering a new skill, direct communication with a professional is far more beneficial than any online course," he shared.
SKILLS AND LIFESTYLE
In another part of the city, graduate student Pan Menghan used to describe her life as "nothing but academic work." "Friends tell me I should go to the gym or go out into nature, but I'm no good at either," she admitted. Everything changed when a friend told her about "coffee chat."
Pan Menghan posted a note on social media: "I'm skilled in data analysis and scientific writing, but I want to learn basic fitness exercises and mountain hiking." Within two days, she received over ten messages and found a partner from the student outdoor club.
They agreed: on odd-numbered weeks, they would go rock climbing, and on even-numbered weeks, they would discuss scientific research. Her partner taught her how to disassemble gear and plan routes, and she shared her experience in writing scientific literature reviews—thanks to her advice, her partner quickly mastered basic data processing techniques. "We exchange not only skills, but also lifestyles," Pan Menghan concluded.
Song Kairui also believes that the essence of exchange is not only learning but also creating new social connections. "A conversation in a coffee shop doesn't make you an expert in an hour, but it does allow you to see how someone from a different field lives. This opens new horizons and helps you better understand yourself," he said.
CLEAR GOALS ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS
Not all meetings go perfectly. Sun Ying, an employee at a major internet company, stopped communicating with a student after the second coffee chat: she had enthusiastically shared her professional experience, but found the student lacking clear goals and all his questions superficial. "It's just a waste of time; I didn't come there to do charity work," she said.
In her view, skill sharing is a two-way process that only works when both parties recognize its importance and have clear goals. "I want to share experiences, but I also want to gain a new perspective in return. If the conversation doesn't give me anything, it's useless," Sun Ying explained.
Now she asks potential interviewees to submit a brief self-introduction and meeting plan in advance. The number of applicants has decreased, but the quality of communication has improved significantly. Thanks to this, she met a graduate student in education – their first meeting lasted three hours, and both felt it was too late. "Only by setting boundaries and clearly articulating needs can you turn a short conversation into a long-term process of mutual growth," Sun Ying believes.
The "coffee chat" social model has quietly become increasingly popular in major cities across the country in recent years. According to a 2024 study, 73.9 percent of young people surveyed believe that skill sharing could become a new format for youth communication, and nearly 93 percent of respondents expressed interest in such formats.
He Tianping, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism at Renmin University of China, believes that participants simultaneously play the dual roles of "teacher" and "teachee," and this equal status makes communication more natural. During this process, young people not only acquire specific skills but also develop communication skills, teamwork, and other comprehensive qualities. These "soft skills" will become an important foundation for their long-term personal development.
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