Privilege or merit? Harvard speech ignites China debate on elite education access
Chinese student’s viral speech urging unity amid US visa crackdown draws scrutiny over her education path, raising questions over accessibility
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.
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.