The Economist.
996 is the spirit that I encourage in Alipapa people.
If you want to have a bright future,
if you don't want to be given by the society,
If you want to be successful,
you have to work hard.
Jack Ma, the founder of tech giant Alibaba,
is famously a champion of 996.
That's the slang term in China
that describes working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week.
When I have a shower, I think I work.
When I'm in the toilet, I think.
When I'm running, I think.
We never stop working.
Some say this kind of grueling work ethic is the secret to China's success.
Those are usually the bosses.
Workers in China have been complaining for years about burnout and breakdowns from the 996 lifestyle.
For a long time, the Chinese government has kept out of the conversation.
But now things are changing and the Chinese state is cracking down on overtime.
I'm Alice Su, The Economist's senior international correspondent.