Chinese Graduate Who Gained Attention for Harvard Commencement Speech Faces "Backdoor Admission" Controversy

The Student Says, "Submitted Different Recommendation Letters... No Contact with Father After Divorce"

A graduate who became the first Chinese woman to deliver a commencement speech at Harvard University in the United States has become the subject of controversy over so-called "backdoor admission" allegations, according to reports.

According to reports by the BBC and Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily on June 2, Chinese international student Jang Wiryong, 25, delivered a speech titled "Let Us Safeguard Our Humanity" at Harvard University's graduation ceremony on the 29th of last month (local time).

In her speech, Jang said, "If we still believe in a shared future, there is something we must not forget," adding, "Even those we call enemies are, in fact, human beings." Her remarks were met with enthusiastic applause. She continued, "When I was young, I believed the world was becoming like a small village, but today, the dream of a connected world has given way to division, fear, and conflict."

Jang Wiryong delivering a speech at Harvard University's graduation ceremony on the 29th of last month (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

Jang is the first Chinese woman in Harvard's nearly 400-year history to deliver a commencement address. Having grown up in eastern China, she attended high school in the United Kingdom, earned her bachelor's degree from Duke University, and recently received a master's degree in international development from Harvard Kennedy School (Graduate School of Public Policy).

Her speech also attracted significant attention in China. On that day, the Shanghai Observer reported, "Jang's speech video received many comments," and "Chinese netizens expressed pride in her speech."

However, some have raised suspicions about her admission process, claiming that her father is a senior executive at a non-governmental organization approved by the State Council of China. There were also allegations that her opportunity to study at Harvard was due to a recommendation from the secretary-general of this organization.

In response, Jang's side explained that although she received a foundation recommendation letter when applying to Harvard, she ultimately did not submit it. She stated that the three recommendation letters she submitted were from two mentors and a team leader at Credit Suisse, a global investment bank where she worked. She also posted a separate video on social media explaining, "My parents divorced when I was young, and I have had little contact with my father."