The United Front Work Department of China is keen to take the necessary measures that will curb the exceedingly wayward lifestyle of the country's fuerdai or second-generation nouveau riche. In an article posted on the United Front's official Web site, these scions were tagged as "capricious" young people who do well at bragging about the wealth they know nothing about earning. According to Time, about 85 percent of the country's private companies are being run by families. In five to 10 years, China may face an economic distress if these young successors fail to grasp the values that made family businesses the success they are today.

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In May, President Xi Jinping called on the department to guide the private business sector, especially the young generation, and help them understand the source of their wealth. Xi further added that the young ones must learn how to act accordingly when leading the affluent life. In this regard, the Communist Party arm vowed to guide the second-generation rich to becoming "patriotic, zealous, innovative, and law-abiding." Efforts are also focused on helping the youngsters possess integrity and make contributions to the society. The United Front is expected to come up with a code of conduct that will cement its intention to straighten out erring ways of the youth.

Several business owners met the government's campaign with welcome compliance by enrolling their children to a course on traditional virtues and discipline. Heirs in their late 20s and who have studied in universities abroad comprised most of the attendees. More than 70 children of Fujian entrepreneurs learned how to serve tea to seniors and read Confucius' "Book of Filial Piety" at the Jade Palace Hotel in Beijing. The importance of philanthropy and fiscal discipline was also among the lessons covered. Fines amounting to thousands of yuan will be imposed on anyone who is absent from class or continues to exhibit foul behavior, Asia One reported.

You Xiaobo, one of the course instructors, remarked on the "sense of superiority" most rich kids possess. China Daily further cited You, saying that while the fines appear to pose no problem for the rich, the penalty aims to instill a sense of responsibility in the wealthy youngsters. 

In April 12, a pair of rich teenagers figured in an almost fatal car crash along the Datun Road Tunnel in Beijing. The duo were racing against each other in a red Ferrari and a green Lamborghini on a rainy evening when they collided into the tunnel walls. Both young drivers emerged unharmed but were sentenced to months in prison for dangerous driving. In March 2012, another high-speed luxury car collision resulted in the death of Ling Jihua's son. Ling was reportedly a close ally of former president Hu Jintao.

TagsChina rich kids, Fuerdai