Friends have urged Zhu to try his chance in a smaller city, where competition is less intense. But Zhu has his reasons for sticking it out in Beijing.

"I come from a small village. I'm well aware of the gap between rural and urban areas. For education, employment and a better all-round environment, big cities are the place to be," he said.

Sociologist Lian Si from the University of International Business and Economics says everyone has the right to try their luck in the cities. The question we should be asking is how to help the "ant tribe" integrate into big-city life.

"The 'ant tribe' is contributing its youth and talent to the process of urbanization. Cities shouldn't turn them away," Lian told China News Service.

Economist Ding Ningning attributes the emergence of "ant tribe" to urbanization and the expansion of higher education. In Ding's opinion, colleges and universities shouldn't place undue emphasis on the jobless rate among graduates. They should pay more attention to the quality of employment. It is estimated that many of the 6 million 2010 graduates will join the "ant tribe."

Talking about the future, Zhu insists he won't leave Beijing in spite of the difficulties.

"I know it will be very hard. But as long as there's hope I'll never give up," he said.