A Chinese Harvard graduate’s recent commencement address calling for global unity has ignited debate amid heightened tensions over visa restrictions for Chinese students in the United States. Jiang Yurong, who studied international development at Harvard, urged audiences to recognize shared humanity: “We don’t rise by proving each other wrong. We rise by refusing to let one another go.” Her speech went viral online in China, where thousands praised her message of empathy and collaboration. In the United States, however, Jiang’s remarks were met with skepticism by some who questioned her alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Critics on social media claimed her father’s involvement in a non-governmental organization linked to Beijing influenced her perspective. Others pointed out that American foundations and corporations support the same organization, suggesting a more complex background. Despite controversy, supporters highlighted how Jiang’s academic journey—from Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales to Duke University and finally Harvard—reflects the benefits of international education.
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Jiang emphasized how Harvard’s diverse classrooms taught her to “dance through each other’s traditions” and “carry the weight of each other’s worlds.” As U.S. authorities consider revoking Chinese student visas “aggressively,” her speech underscores the value of cultural exchange and dialogue. For many, her call for unity transcends political divides and offers a vision for collective progress in a polarized world.
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