In the article "'Who's your daddy?' matters more than ever in China," published in the Global Times on Saturday, the author discussed the symptoms of widening inequalities in China. As a 24-year-old migrant to Beijing, I admit that it's impossible for me to buy an apartment no matter how hard I save. Ordinary working-class people in Beijing earn an average of 7,086 yuan ($1,061) a month, but meanwhile a one-bedroom apartment inside the third ring road is priced at 3.5 million yuan. It is a bitter truth that young people have to rely on their families for a roof over their heads.

Worse still, the growth rate of real estate prices far exceeds that of income. This means that while rich families reap fat payoffs from property investments, ordinary families may never be able to afford an apartment. Property prices in central Beijing have increased an average 1 million yuan in six months, according to a popular real estate website. Rich families get richer, further expanding the gap between disadvantaged groups.

The author argued that family background is also a source of privilege in career, believing that an influential "daddy" matters when seeking a promotion. While true that the property market is where young people get richer with their rich "daddies," this inequality is a result of an unhealthy real estate industry. The crazy property prices in first-tier cities are what authorities have long been striving to address.

To curb real estate speculation, the government banned local families from purchasing two or more apartments in Beijing. This may help narrow the gap between Beijing locals and new immigrants. Favorable policies have also been introduced to help disadvantaged families purchase an apartment in first-tier cities.

Generally speaking, Chinese society is putting more effort into leveling the playing field than ever before, and children from disadvantaged families are being provided with equal opportunities. It is becoming easier, rather than "harder and harder" as the author argued, for young people to change their destiny through hard work.

From primary school to university to the job market, people from ordinary families are offered relatively equal chances. Nine-year compulsory education is now widespread, even in rural villages, and primary schools are better-equipped than ever before, offering free extra-curricular classes such as dance, chess and piano to all students.

More importantly, it is exam performances that have the final say over the distribution of education. First-tier schools and universities are only accessible to applicants with higher scores than those from more advantaged family backgrounds.

Admittedly, a job or a promotion is easier with an influential "daddy." However, those without skills who rely solely on their family backgrounds for jobs will gradually be laid off. Top-tier companies will not put a rich "prince" or "princess" in an important post unless they can cut it. Employers who offer favorable policies to incapable but "influential" young people will surely suffer losses in the long run.

Above all, although gaps are widening in the real estate industry, the Chinese government has already devoted tremendous efforts to promoting equality and fairness, something that deserves the public's respect.

But authorities should also take effective measures to curb the skyrocketing property prices. To put it another way, relying on "daddy" brings nothing good to Chinese society.

Liu Lulu is a freelance writer based in Beijing