Beijing – A recent Harvard University graduate, Jiang Yurong, a native of Qingdao, Shandong province, has vehemently denied allegations that her admission to the prestigious institution was facilitated by family connections. These claims emerged online after her commencement speech at Harvard University on May 29 went viral, drawing widespread scrutiny and debate across Chinese social media platforms.
Jiang, who represented the graduating class during the ceremony, delivered a compelling speech in English while adorned in traditional Chinese attire. In her address, she shared a personal anecdote about translating Chinese labels on washing machines, utilizing the narrative to underscore the profound importance of diversity and international understanding in today’s interconnected world.
However, the rapid spread of her speech online soon led to questions from some Chinese netizens regarding her admission to Harvard Kennedy School’s Master in Public Administration in International Development program. The core of the online speculation centered on whether her enrollment was a result of personal influence rather than merit.
On Monday, Jiang took to Sina Weibo, establishing an account on the same day, to issue multiple responses directly addressing the accusations. She unequivocally denied any impropriety in her admission process, asserting that her acceptance was based solely on her qualifications and academic achievements.
Previous online assertions had linked Jiang to the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), where she reportedly completed an internship. A 2022 blog post from the CBCGDF allegedly celebrated her Harvard admission and included a thank-you note purportedly from her father, Jiang Zhiming, who was said to hold a position within the foundation at the time. This specific post has since been deleted or edited to remove his name, further fueling the ongoing speculation and public discussion.
In her detailed response to the nepotism claims, Jiang clarified that her parents divorced when she was young, and she maintains minimal contact with her father. She further specified that her recommendation letters for Harvard were provided by her thesis advisors in economics and political science, in addition to her former supervisor at Credit Suisse.
While confirming her internship at CBCGDF and receiving a recommendation letter from them, Jiang explicitly stated that she ultimately did not utilize that particular letter in her Harvard application. She emphasized that all her application materials were verifiable and submitted independently, without external influence. Jiang also disclosed that she deferred her admission for a year due to financial difficulties, utilizing nearly four years of work savings to cover her tuition expenses. Addressing broader online doubts, Jiang firmly stated, “I hold only a Chinese passport, and I have no green card or overseas citizenship.”
