Prosperity tops Chinese 'dream' list: survey

(AFP PHOTO /MIKE FIALA)

Nearly half of Chinese people say their dreams revolve around wealth or starting their own businesses, with having children only in third place, according to a survey published Thursday.

"Wealth" topped the list for 26.4 percent of respondents, followed by "launching a business" at 19.7 percent, said the opinion poll.

Starting a family came in third at 18.8 percent, followed by "making outstanding achievements" at 15.1 percent.

The report on the poll in the People's Daily, the official Communist Party mouthpiece, did not say when or how the survey by a Chinese market research group was conducted or how many people were polled.

Staff at Horizon Research Consultancy Group confirmed the company was commissioned by a Chinese bank to carry out the poll, but declined to offer further comment or provide a copy of the survey.

China's ruling Communist party has refused to reform its one-party grip on political power, insisting that its primary responsibility is to facilitate the wishes of its 1.3 billion people for better living standards.

Rounding out the survey's list of dreams, 9.7 percent aspire to gain greater knowledge, 5.2 percent dream of traveling, and 5.1 percent hope to contribute to society.