Decades of rapid economic growth have cultivated a new group of people in the country - but the group's size, and how to define it, remains a mystery.
This group of people was previously categorized as "middle class," "middle income earners, or "middle stratum." The experts' delicate dance of words and concepts has not presented them well.
A popular connotation of the group means people living a quality life, such as going on vacation, owning a car and an apartment, and belonging to a sports club.
But for a long time, it has been technically indefinable, lacking a consensus on measurement.
The China National Research Association (CNRA) under the National Bureau of Statistics announced on Friday its intention to do a survey into this group nationwide. The results, which are due to be published after six months, will paint a whole picture of the group. Then, hopefully, it will get an official definition.
Without an overall statistic display of the group, these labels have failed to tell what they mean.
The CNRA's survey will shed light on the reality of this group, a showcase of China's changing society, and help the government grapple with the proper terminology for its members.
Already the CNRA has painted a sketch for them: an ideal set of workers with general knowledge, prestige of career, type of work, decent income, expenditure and social influence.
