Chinese Student’s Harvard Commencement Speech Sparks Controversy Over Political Language

Critics say the speech was similar to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s diplomatic narrative of ‘community with a shared future for mankind.’

Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang delivers an address during her commencement ceremonies at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass., on May 29, 2025. Charles Krupa/AP Photo

The first Chinese woman selected to speak at a Harvard University graduation ceremony has sparked controversy both in China and the United States amid the Trump administration’s actions to curb Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence.

Jiang Yurong, also known as Luanna Jiang, graduated with a master’s degree in public administration in international development.