The amazing rise of Yang Shaoping from a restaurant waiter to a lawyer should encourage youths to follow his example, says an article in the Beijing Times. Excerpts:

Eight years ago, poverty forced Yang Shaoping to give up his studies. But he kept the fact a secret as he chose another way of pursuing his dream - he got a job as a waiter in a restaurant to help his poor family and continued his studies, though a bit irregularly.

Thanks to his grit, determination and hard work, he cleared the national judicial examination, or lawyer's qualification exam, at the end of 2012.

He should have achieved his goal much earlier had he not been handicapped by poverty. But he did not allow poverty to dash his dream.

Yang is unlike many Chinese youths who often tend to become cynical, feisty and helpless because of social inequality and the income gap. Yang doesn't think like many of his peers that in today's society only the offspring of rich or powerful parents can achieve success.

Yang chose a meaningful way. He faced the challenges of life instead of only complaining about discriminations and injustice.

Yang will face more challenges because of his social background and lack of resources, and has to continue working hard to fulfill his dream of becoming a successful lawyer.

But more importantly, while people in Yang's situation should think and act positively, the government should also take measures to create more opportunities for them.

(China Daily 01/09/2013 page9)