Zhan Haite, 15, who came under the spotlight for calling for equal education opportunities for nonlocal students, at a coffeehouse in Shanghai Photo: Cai Xianmin/GT

Zhan Haite appears to be a normal teenage girl with a childlike innocence that shines from her eyes - but as soon as she opens her mouth, it is clear she is not a naif. "My idols are Martin Luther King and Aung San Suu Kyi. Both paid a heavy price in the pursuit of equality, freedom and democracy," the 15-year-old said.

Zhan was thrust into the spotlight after calling for equal education opportunities for herself and fellow children of migrant workers recently.

Her activism has stirred public outcry from local Shanghainese and sparked a heated debate throughout China. The young woman's stance has made her the target of much speculation and criticism. Some have even referred Zhan to a "locust," a term originally used by Hong Kong media for Chinese mainlanders seeking to give birth in Hong Kong to claim local resources.

Fight for equal rights

Zhan was born in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, in 1997, following her family's move from Jiangxi Province in 1994.

"The coastal area offers better opportunities and it is easier to make money," said her father, Zhan Quanxi. At one point, the family earned an annual income of 200,000 yuan ($31,806).

The family moved to Shanghai in 2002 when Zhan Haite was only in kindergarten.

"I don't see any difference between me and my local classmates," said Zhan Haite. But she was told that she could not take the senior high school entrance examination in her place of residence.

Using Weibo, the teenager invited local Shanghainese and Beijing residents to debate in front of local education authorities in October, publicly broadcasting that some parents' petitions for equal rights were obstructed by locals, and that she had received anonymous threats.

Earlier this month, Zhan organized a protest in Shanghai by contacting nonlocal parents and students online to ask them to attend a parent-child activity at the People's Square adjacent to the municipal government building.

Participants held signs with slogans like "Implement the constitution. Protect human rights," and "Love Shanghai. Love children." Zhan Quanxi, 45, was detained for five days by police after the group refused to leave the square.

No other option

The Shanghai government does allow 10 types of nonlocal students to attend high school in the city and take the national college entrance examinations, or gaokao, for example, those whose parents are well educated or contribute financially to economic development. Unfortunately, Zhan's family does not fit the bill.

As a nonlocal student without Shanghai household registration, or hukou, Zhan faces the same options as the countless children of migrant workers in top cities across China - either return to her parent's hometown for senior high school or find a spot in vocational schools in the city.

"My whole family is here. I am not familiar with anyone back in Jiangxi, so it's impossible; and vocational school is not a good choice because I want to take the gaokao," she said.

Since beginning her appeal for equal rights, Zhan has seen her former classmates move on without her. "Though I wasn't able to take the senior high school entrance examination this time, I have to proceed. I don't want other migrant children to be forced to suffer family separation or become stay-at-home children. Education equality must be realized in China," she said.

As of the end of 2011, 501,700 children of migrant workers were enjoying free nine-year compulsory education in Shanghai, according to the local education authority. In first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, nonlocal students compose nearly 42 percent of the classroom, Yuan Liansheng, a professor at Beijing Normal University, said at an education forum last year.

Keeping a positive outlook

For now, Zhan has been teaching herself at home. In response to her millions of critics, the young woman is quite calm. "Many people experience setbacks. I am no different… I want to be a normal student, but if this is our plight, someone should stand up to protect our rights. The education system is flawed and will not be changed in a day. It needs our effort," she said.

Despite this view, Zhan is heartened by news of possible sweeping change. "I hope the regulation allowing nonlocal students to take exams where they live will be implemented this year, and that equity in education can be achieved in five years. Scholars, not politicians, should be in charge of our education system. I will still be there, fighting the system even if it takes more than 10 years."

Unlike the average teenager in China, Zhan's Sina Weibo attracts dozens, sometimes hundreds, of comments with each posting, many of which are negative. "At first I was angry, but now, I don't let it get to me. Those rumor mongers are just afraid of their privileges being taken away," she said.

Should we believe the hype?

Some observers claim that Zhan is being manipulated by her father, who they say is trying to push his daughter into the spotlight and foment further controversy.

A screenshot of a conversation allegedly between Zhan Quanxi and a marketing expert has circulated widely online. In it, the father agrees to pay 63,800 yuan for his daughter to be promoted online. The Zhans deny any such deal.

Scheduling an interview with this teen activist was quite a challenge due to her busy publicity schedule. "Let's meet in a coffee shop, but you need to pay the bill," Zhan's father demanded over the phone. However, it turned out that the girl had no idea that her father had arranged this interview for her right after another media interview.

"How dare you arrange an interview for me without telling me! I'm tired and don't want to answer any other questions now," the teen shouted. She said she had given more than 20 interviews in the weeks following her rise to fame.

Netizens also revealed that the family has violated China's family planning policy. "It's true that I have a sister and brother, but childbearing is also our basic right," Zhan retorted.

Though she sent an e-mail to US President Barack Obama before the recent election telling him that she and her classmates like the US a lot, Zhan says she does not want to study overseas. "If I go abroad, it would be harder to pay attention to education equality here," she said.

The young activist said she hopes she can fulfill her destiny, which she believes is firmly rooted in making a difference for China's students.

"It's tiring, but I find pleasure in it. I'm inspired by my ideals, and I can suffer the pressure," she said. "The ultimate and most important thing is that history has chosen me."