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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese Harvard graduate's speech sparks conservative controversy
[Source] A Chinese Harvard graduate's commencement speech calling for 'shared humanity' has ignited debate online as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to restrict Chinese student visas. What she said Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, 25, became the first Chinese woman student to speak at a Harvard graduation ceremony on May 29, delivering her nearly seven-minute address titled 'Our Humanity.' Originally from Qingdao, China, she earned a full scholarship to study at Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales before attending Duke University and completing her Master's in Public Administration in International Development at Harvard Kennedy School. Jiang emphasized global unity in her speech, telling fellow graduates, 'If we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget: those we label as enemies — they, too, are human. In seeing their humanity, we find our own.' Trending on NextShark: She drew from her experiences with classmates from 34 nations, describing how the countries she 'knew only as colorful shapes on a map turned into real people — with laughter, dreams and the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge.' Reactions Jiang's speech largely drew criticism on X, with conservative users accusing her of having Communist Party connections. One popular account followed by Elon Musk and some of President Donald Trump's children alleged that she represented 'a CCP-funded and monitored NGO' and was 'parroting Xi Jinping's diplomatic rhetoric about a 'shared future for mankind.'' Trending on NextShark: Chinese netizens appeared more divided. Some praised Jiang's message, with one RedNote user writing that her ability to 'stand on an international stage and speak the heart of Chinese students has moved me to tears.' Others questioned whether her elite background represented typical Chinese students. Why this matters Jiang's address came at a critical moment as the Trump administration had just revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification — blocking the university from enrolling international students — and announced plans to 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' With roughly 30% of Harvard's students being international and about 2,000 coming from China, the policy affects over 277,000 Chinese students nationwide. Trending on NextShark: International students contributed over $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, with Chinese students making up 16% of all graduate STEM students nationwide. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. ! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvard slammed for choosing Chinese student with family ties to CCP-affiliated NGO as speaker
Yurong "Luanna" Jiang addresses classmates during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University (Image credits: AP) Harvard University's decision to select Chinese student Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang as a commencement speaker has sparked a wave of controversy alongside praise, after critics raised concerns about her affiliations and family background. One of the most widely circulated criticisms came from X user @amuse, who posted, 'Why would Harvard select a Chinese national affiliated with a CCP-backed NGO whose father is a high-ranking official in that NGO that serves as a quasi-diplomatic agent for the CCP to give the school's commencement address this year?' The post continued: 'Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, a representative of a CCP-funded and monitored NGO, gave the commencement speech at Harvard parroting Xi Jinping's diplomatic rhetoric about a 'shared future for mankind.' Her father, Jiang Zhiming, is a senior executive in the NGO and serves as a quasi-diplomatic agent for the CCP. The China biodiversity conservation and green development foundation (CBCGDF) has strong ties to the state and Communist Party and was established in 1985 by China's state council. ' The backlash came as Jiang took the stage at Harvard's commencement ceremony on Thursday, the same day the Trump administration announced plans to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or working in sensitive academic fields. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Jiang, who studied international development, titled her speech 'Our Humanity,' and focused on the need for compassion and unity in a divided world. 'Today, that promise of a connected world is giving way to division, fear, and conflict,' she said. 'We're starting to believe that people who think differently, vote differently, or pray differently... are not just wrong. We mistakenly see them as evil.' Her speech received a short standing ovation. She later told Harvard Magazine that although she did not name US President Donald Trump directly, she had him in mind while writing her remarks. 'In a very divided world, we should refuse to demonise those we disagree with,' she said. 'Humanity rises and falls together.' Harvard president Alan Garber also addressed the ceremony, defending the university's international outlook. 'Our global reach is just as it should be,' he said, receiving loud applause. Trump has criticised Harvard for having an international student population of 25 per cent and has called for it to be reduced to 15 per cent. He also warned the university that its federal funding could be at risk unless leadership and policy changes are made. Garber pushed back strongly, calling the administration's actions an 'unlawful attempt to control fundamental aspects of our university's operations.'
