Speaker 1:

This healthy appetite belongs to 15-year-old school boy [Ouyang], the only son of Senor [Party] [Cardas]. He's part of a growing group of kids in single-child China who are over-pampered and overfed.

Speaker 2:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Like many others his size, Oyung spends summer holidays at a camp for children aged between 14 and 16. For two and a half hours every day, they run, twist and jump away the kilos.

The instructors believe if kids today can kick their sedentary habits, most of the weight will simply roll away.

Speaker 2:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Summer camp at Beijing's 402 Middle School isn't just about getting kids to lose weight. There's a much more important national goal. Next June, these children will sit in high school entrance exams. If they fail the sports component, an 800-meter run, long jump and throwing the shot put, it can mean going to a basic school rather than a prestigious one.

For Chinese put a child's education above everything.

Speaker 2:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Why do children have to be good at sport in order to succeed academically?

Speaker 2:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Not surprisingly, this doesn't impress kids like Oyung.

Ouyang:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Four weeks into the camp, a break from the usual routine. So, the programme doesn't become monotonous, Mr. [Gong] has organised a mini-biathlon, a 30-kilometer bike ride to be followed by a brisk walk up to the top of the Fragrant Hills. I've been asked to join them to give the children a morale boost.

After two hours at gentle pace, we arrive at the so-called Fragrant Hills on the outskirts of Beijing. A specialist has been invited along to administer Chinese medicine. In this case, to balance the tired inner elements of the youngsters restoring their energy in preparation for the hour long climb. Others preferred to revive their energy with a few saturated fats.

After a little rest, the long march begins. Unbeknownst tot he kids, this foreign correspondent has other plans like playing [truant].

An hour later, and it was well worth all the effort, even if I did come near the back of the class. But where is Oyung? [foreign]

Speaker 2:

Oyung [foreign00:04:49].

Speaker 1:

We wait and wait, but Ouyung never shows. It's left to the others to savour their success.

Child:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Do you think you've lost weight?

Child:

[foreign].

Speaker 5:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

All this while the reconcentrate Ouyung is back home bucking the system. Why didn't you climb up the hill with the rest of your class?

Speaker 2:

[foreign].

Speaker 1:

Did you try?

Speaker 2:

Sure. [foreign].

Speaker 1:

He knows that in 12 months time his fitness or lack of it could send him to a lousy school, which would bring disappointment and humiliation to his parents. But this is, after all, his second year at summer camp, and there's been little progress in the battle of the bulge. At least in the comfort of his bedroom, with the touch of a button, someone else can do the running around for him.