Latest news with #globalunity
South China Morning Post
20 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Privilege or merit? Harvard speech ignites China debate on elite education access
Emotional remarks by a Chinese student who delivered this year's Harvard University commencement speech have sparked a debate in China about barriers to elite education. Advertisement The speech by Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, the first Chinese woman chosen as Harvard's student commencement speaker, called for global unity amid US President Donald Trump's plan to 'aggressively' revoke Chinese student visas Internet users have since raised questions about a lack of access for many ordinary students who have struggled to be considered for prestigious universities, citing an uneven distribution of financial and educational resources. While some praised her message of 'a shared humanity', which echoed Beijing's diplomatic vision of 'a community with a shared future for mankind', others criticised her 'privileged' background and questioned whether she truly represented the broader Chinese student population. According to Harvard Magazine, Jiang, originally from Qingdao in eastern China, attended high school in the United Kingdom . She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University before enrolling at the Harvard Kennedy School for a master's degree. Advertisement Internet users also questioned her volunteer experience in the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation – where her father reportedly worked as a director, and which played a role in securing a recommendation letter for her Harvard application in 2022.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Fight breaks out behind Harvard student as she issues plea for global unity
A brawl broke out between two men while a Chinese Harvard student spoke about global unity in an interview on Friday (30 May). Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang was speaking to the Associated Press about the importance of being compassionate when a fight broke out in the background. The two men can be seen falling to the ground in a tumble at an open-air restaurant, with a third man later piling on. Jiang, the first Chinese woman chosen as Harvard's student speaker, continued the interview unaware of the brawl. 'The message itself, if I have to put it into one sentence, will be that humanity rises and falls as one', she ironically said.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Harvard Chinese student's graduation speech strikes a chord as Trump leads crackdown
A Chinese student's graduation speech at Harvard University emphasising 'shared humanity' and calling for global unity has gone viral, days after the Trump administration pledged to ' aggressively ' revoke the visas of students from China. Advertisement Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang is the first Chinese woman selected to be the student speaker at a Harvard graduation ceremony. Her emotional speech on Thursday was delivered on the same day that a federal judge blocked a Department of Homeland Security order seeking to prevent the Ivy League university from enrolling international students. US President Donald Trump's showdown with Harvard – which the White House accuses of maintaining ties with the Chinese Communist Party – unfolds against the backdrop of deepening US-China tensions The US State Department announced last week that it would intensify screening and 'aggressively' revoke student visas for Chinese nationals, including 'those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields'. Advertisement The move is widely believed to stem from Washington's long-standing concerns that Chinese students enrolled in advanced science and engineering programmes could be involved in espionage activities that bolster Beijing's military capabilities, posing a significant national security threat.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo urges unity, condemns capitalism and war at inaugural Mass
Pope Leo XIV called for greater global unity and denounced the harms of unchecked capitalism and power during his inaugural Mass in St Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people, including state guests, on Sunday. "In our time, we still experience too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of others, and an economic model that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest," said the new pontiff at the Vatican. Pope Leo, the 69-year-old former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, said he hoped the Catholic Church could become a force for healing and reconciliation. The inaugural Mass marks the official beginning of Leo's papacy. Since his selection as the 267th pope by cardinals on May 8, he has repeatedly called on world leaders to work toward ending global conflict. He recently offered the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Leo is considered a moderate bridge-builder, who can mediate between different camps within the Church. It is widely believed that this is one of the reasons why he was chosen so surprisingly quickly by the conclave of cardinals. In his inaugural message, Pope Leo said he would work on unifying the Church - and that this cohesion could serve as an example for others. "Dear brothers and sisters, I would like this to be our first great desire: a united Church, a sign of unity and communion that becomes the leaven of a reconciled world," he said in his homily, speaking in Italian. "I come to you with fear and trembling, as a brother who wishes to make himself a servant of your faith and your joy, and to walk with you on the path of God's love, who wants us all to be one family," continued Leo, who is the first pope from the United States but also holds Peruvian citizenship. During the service, the pope received two regalia representing the papal power: the gold signet Fisherman's Ring, which features an engraving of the Apostle Peter fishing, symbolizing Jesus' words that he would make Peter a "fisher of men," as well as a lamb's wool pallium to symbolize the pope's role as shepherd. Leo arrived at the ceremony in the popemobile, waving and smiling to onlookers running to catch a glimpse of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of his predecessor, pope Francis, on April 21. Numerous US flags, as well as Peruvian flags, could be seen in the crowd. US Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte were in attendance.
Malay Mail
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
National unity minister hails Pope Leo XIV's election as historic moment
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has extended his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his recent election as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Aaron described the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in history as a 'momentous occasion', not only for the Catholic faithful but also for people of all religions around the world. 'Your dedication to social justice, inclusivity and compassion reflects the very values that we in Malaysia strive to uphold in our multicultural and multireligious society,' he posted on Facebook today. Aaron also offered his prayers for the new pope's leadership, hoping that it would bring a new era of global unity and mutual respect. 'May Almighty God grant you wisdom, strength and grace in leading the global community through these transformative times. Your leadership offers renewed hope for global solidarity, healing and mutual respect,' he said. — Bernama
