Zhang Xuyi, a senior student from Tongzhou High School in Nantong, had an in-depth dialogue with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, during a tech-focused event in Beijing, delving into the blend of scientific technology, humanities, and art, showcasing the global outlook and strong practice capability of a Chinese youth in contemporary times.

Zhang Xuyi from Tongzhou High School in Nantong receives an award from Bilibili. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

While still in primary school, Zhang became interested in digital products and video creation. At 13, he became a technology creator on the Chinese video platform Bilibili. Despite early struggles, he kept refining his scripts and editing skills.

At 15, he won a video contest initiated by Xiaomi, which boosted his followers to 10,000 and skyrocketed his views from 50,000 to 800,000. Today, he has about 493,000 followers, nearly 160 videos, and over 10 million total views.

For Zhang, content creation is not just about self-expression; it also carries social responsibility. Since 2022, he has donated his video revenue to UNICEF every month. He led classmates to film an anti-fraud short video in 2023 and used artificial technology to create free family portraits for locals in 2024.

As a high school senior, Zhang balances preparing for the college entrance exam with video creation through efficient time management and strong self-discipline. In spare moments during commutes or breaks, he outlines scripts and collects materials.

He applies the innovative thinking from his tech explorations to subjects like physics, where connecting principles to real-world products makes learning more intuitive. In turn, his studies sharpen his logic, expression, and information-processing skills.

Looking to the future, Zhang hopes to become a person of both creativity and responsibility.

"For me, technology, humanities, and public welfare will never be separate," he said. "Truly powerful expression requires both a technical perspective and a human touch."