Chongqing - At 8 p.m. on December 3, the track at Chongqing Technology and Business University was filled with the rhythm of evening runners. Among them were Xiaowei from the School of Literature and Journalism and her new “exercise buddy,” Linlin from the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Only three days earlier, the two met through a campus forum and agreed to meet every night to train together.
This simple partnership reflects a growing trend across Chinese universities. Since the start of the fall semester, “buddy culture”—known as “dazi” in Chinese—has surged in popularity. Whether for meals, studying, entrepreneurship, travel, or fitness, young people are seeking partners who share specific goals rather than deep personal ties. What kinds of “buddies” are emerging, and what is driving this shift? A recent campus investigation reveals the rise of a new, lightweight form of social connection.
Study buddies on the campus of Chongqing Technology and Business University. (Photo/Chongqing Technology and Business University)
On December 2, senior student Zhang Wen stood outside a restaurant near Southwest University’s main gate, looking for a face she had never seen before. Spotting a girl in a white coat dining alone, she approached hesitantly: “Are you the cast-iron-pot buddy from Xiaohongshu?”
A quick exchange of phone screens—showing the same chat group—broke the ice instantly.
The lunch meetup came from a spontaneous post Zhang wrote that morning: “Craving cast-iron stew! Anyone want to go together?” Within minutes, she received several replies. By noon, four students from different majors who had never met were sharing a bubbling pot of ribs and discussing exams, campus life, favorite classes, and hometown foods.
“No pressure, no expectations,” one student said. “We don’t even need to know each other’s names. Just eat, chat, and enjoy.”
Meal buddies on campus. (Photo/Yue Meijia)
After the meal, they split the bill, said goodbye, and walked off in different directions—content with an hour of companionship.
“I’ll definitely look for buddies again,” Zhang Wen said. “Eating alone feels lonely. With a few buddies, you get variety, conversation, and emotional support.”
For Zhao Fan, a first-year university student, the “buddy model” opened doors she had not expected. Interested in entrepreneurship but unsure where to start, she browsed her school’s online “buddy channel,” where posts range from “Need a study buddy” to “Seeking teammates for modeling competition.”
One post caught her attention: “Recruiting 1–2 startup buddies for a red-culture innovation project. Senior team lead, idea forming, need reliable partners.”
She replied: “First-year history major. Skills in basic graphic design. Interested, though inexperienced—would I fit?”
She joined the team the same day. Over the next month, the entire project was completed online—file exchanges, late-night discussions, and countless iterations of design and content. No team member met face-to-face until after submission.
Entrepreneurship buddies discussing project progress on campus. (Photo/Yue Meijia)
Their project later won an Outstanding Award in the university’s entrepreneurship competition, and the members continued collaborating for other contests.
“Online buddy-matching is efficient,” Zhao said. “Everyone knows exactly what they need and what they can contribute.”
During the National Day holiday, Xiaozhong from Chongqing Technology and Business University finally completed his long-planned trip to Jiuzhaigou, together with his travel buddy Akun from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
“Friends often couldn’t match schedules or interests,” he said. “So I turned to social media to find someone with similar travel preferences.”
After a quick conversation, the two discovered that their travel styles, budgets, and expectations aligned. They planned the entire trip together, splitting costs, supporting each other when challenges arose, and capturing memories along the way. They have already agreed on their next destination: skiing at Jinfo Mountain during New Year’s.
In the pursuit of fitness goals, buddy partnerships are also flourishing. At Chongqing College of Mobile Communication, Awei, determined to lose weight, found a gym buddy through a campus forum. After three months of working out with Xiaoxiao—who enjoys cycling and strength training—Awei has already lost about 16 pounds.
Li Hao, a student at Chongqing University of Technology, observes that “almost anything can have a buddy now”—from studying and dining to gaming, shopping, and part-time jobs.
According to Associate Professor Hu Xiao from Southwest University of Political Science and Law, the “buddy model” is a product of the digital era. It represents “light socializing”—a functional, low-pressure form of interaction. Unlike deep friendships, buddy relationships are task-oriented, efficient, and focused on companionship within a specific domain.
To find the right buddy, Hu advises students to clarify their needs, set clear expectations, respect boundaries, and maintain mutual trust. Being punctual, splitting costs fairly, and protecting personal information are essential guidelines.
Ren Chao, a counselor at Chongqing University, adds that safety must remain a bottom line: Choose public places for first meetings, safeguard privacy, and if discomfort arises, end the buddy relationship respectfully.
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