According to a latest survey, this 21st century tech generation cares more about traditional values such as family and friendship.

A report by China Youth and Children Research Center released on Wednesday provides insight into the traits of the generation born after 2000 and also compares them with their predecessor - the so-called post-90s generation.

The results are based on surveys conducted in 10 provinces and municipalities mainly in 2005 and 2015 and partly in 1999 and 2010. The 2015 study was conducted among 162 primary and secondary schools in rural and urban areas of Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Shandong, Liaoning, Henan, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan and Shaanxi, with 9,360 valid responses.

Here are the five major traits of this new generation.

1. Where do family and friends fit in?

The researchers found that family and friends are the primary source of happiness of those born in the new century.

In all surveys conducted in 2005, 2010 and 2015, "happy family" tops most respondents' list and its importance increases in 2005, with 55.2 percent placing it on top, and 59.4 percent in 2015.

"True friends" takes the second spot, with the preference rising sharply by 7 percentage points to 46.9 percent in 2015.

But the number of respondents who placed importance on "contribution to society" and "successful career" gradually shrank in all the three studies.

The report indicates that the new generation places more importance on personal happiness and development than pursuit of social values, compared with the post-90s generation.

An expert explains that the differences are due to the changing social environment. The post-90s generation grew up under the impact of reforms and opening-up and market economy. Their values are more diversified and they focus more on career and social contribution. On the other hand, the new century generation grew up in a more mature market economy. In a more developed society, many assume that only realization of personal value can lead to happiness.

2. Is humility important?

From 2005 to 2015, there has not been a big change in values. Kindness, honesty, humility, bravery and integrity are still important.

What's noteworthy is that those born in the 21st century cherish humility more whereas the post-90s generation regards filial piety more important. Humility rose to third place in 2015 from seventh in 2010 and sixth in 2005.

Another big takeaway is that bravery and hard work have fallen in importance while responsibility and cooperation have become more prominent.

3. 'Green' consciousness

Another silver line is that more than 70 percent of those born in the 21st century are keenly aware of environmental protection.

But what's surprising is that respondents from rural areas are more aware than urbanites. They give preference to environment over economy, something that comes out more starkly in 2015 than in 2005, with a five percentage points jump.

4. Priorities of kids born with silver spoon

When the respondents were asked for their view on this statement "I'm willing to work as hard as I would if I ran my own business to promote an enterprise that is beneficial to my country and the people", 85 percent of the new century generation agreed with that.

But only 44.2 percent agreed with this statement "I will work hard for the honor of my class or school at the cost of my own benefit", which indicates that the new generation places equal importance on society and individuality.

Another trend is that more children from wealthy family agree with those two statements than those from less wealthy or poor family, with 5 percentage points of more rich kids agreeing with both statements.

5. Poor kids and tough climb

The survey also discovered that 92.7 percent of the respondents feel proud to be Chinese and 90.2 percent feel satisfied to live in China. Although 72.8 percent admit that there is inequality in today's society, but it doesn't affect their national identity.

Children from urban areas are more aware of social inequality than those from rural areas, with the figure 3.5 percentage points higher. Those from poor family also see more social inequality than those from wealthy family, with 5.9 percentage points more.