Peking University, June 6, 2025: On May 31, the Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony. A total of 656 graduates from the PhD, MA, MBA, and EMBA programs donned their caps and gowns to celebrate their achievements and embark on the next chapter of their journey. School leaders, faculty members, alumni representatives, and distinguished guests gathered for this momentous occasion to honor the graduates’ hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

The ceremony opened with a video featuring graduates' unforgettable memories and the faculty's best wishes. It was followed by students and graduates singing "Love for PKU," expressing the deep patriotism and sense of national responsibility that defines the spirit of PHBS students.





Speeches on behalf of the 2025 Graduates



Zhao Zhao's speech highlighted three pillars: the confidence from rigorous PHBS training, the memories of collective effort, and the commitment to national responsibility. She emphasized that the PHBS identity is a lifelong honor, measured not merely by the name of the school but by one’s actions in embodying resilience, pioneering spirit, and the unity of thought and practice, thereby continuously enriching the meaning of that title.



Micol Mascia, a Finance graduate from Italy, shared her journey of leaving home to pursue growth, learning, and the future at PHBS. She described PHBS as more than a school—a community where she gained not only knowledge but also cultural connection and emotional strength. “Belonging does not need translation,” she said. For her, graduation marks not an end but the beginning of a greater journey shaped by courage, curiosity, and responsibility.



Xu Guohua reflected on his journey from the workplace back to academia, highlighting the deep bonds formed with his classmates through shared challenges, such as the “Gobi 19” race. He praised PHBS’s rigorous and enriching academic environment as a foundation for intellectual growth. For him, the past two years served as a bridge between practice and theory—a time for self-discovery and a renewed dialogue with his aspirations. 



Pan Rui shared his reasons for choosing PHBS, where he discovered that teachers are not only educators but also mentors. His studies taught him that true business success lies not in personal wealth but in creating social value. In the face of uncertainty, he called for a threefold responsibility—to enterprises, industries, and the nation. He encouraged his classmates to act with courage and conviction, contributing to national prosperity as proud representatives of PHBS.

Speeches by faculty and guests



Professor Liu Baixiao offered heartfelt congratulations and three hopes for the graduating class: To pursue independent thought with a free spirit; to shoulder social responsibility with an open and inclusive mind; and to uphold their original aspirations with unwavering tenacity. He encouraged graduates to carve out their paths with independence, to embrace the world with a broad vision, and achieve their goals with resilience. 



Guo Yongqing reflected on his unforgettable time at PHBS, his steadfast commitment to serving in Qinghai, and his deep gratitude toward his mentors. He also shared heartfelt hopes for the younger generation. He concluded with a distinctive Tibetan blessing for his junior peers: “May your journey be like the migration of the Tibetan antelope, always moving toward fertile lands; May your career be like the snowmelt of the Kunlun Mountains, nourishing all without seeking praise; And may your life be like the prayer flags of the plateau, flying proudly in the winds of time.”



Mo Yan encouraged graduates to dare to practice and learn continuously, proactively mastering AI rather than being supplanted by it. Drawing from his personal journey, Mo Yan also guided students to view real-world issues from multiple perspectives. He entrusted graduates with the hope of preserving individuality and persisting in creativity on their future paths, composing unique and vibrant chapters of life.

Dean's Message



Wang Pengfei shared three guiding keywords with the graduates: conviction, responsibility, and warmth. Conviction, he explained, means staying resilient amid change, strong in the face of challenges, and unwavering on the path ahead. Responsibility demands a public-spirited approach in one's role, courage in turbulent times, and a willingness to stand up for the nation. Warmth is reflected in humility in success, compassion toward others, and the light one brings in moments of uncertainty. 





Hai Wen remarked that 2025 is a year destined for the history books—shaped by an increasingly uncertain world and marked early on by two attention-grabbing events: The premiere of Nezha 2 and the emergence of DeepSeek, both reflecting the same inner spirit of bold innovation and courageous transformation.

He recalled a decisive moment in Nezha 2, when the Dragon King questions, “Do you really want to change the rules of the world?” and Nezha firmly responds, “I wish to try.” These simple words, Hai Wen noted, are filled with power and wisdom. Every meaningful endeavor comes with challenges—but without the courage to even try, there can be no progress, no success.

He emphasized that “I wish to try” is also the spirit that defines the founding and development of PHBS. He expressed his heartfelt hope that, when facing future difficulties, the graduates will not give up easily but instead embrace this spirit—with courage and wisdom—to overcome obstacles, solve problems, and achieve success.

After the ceremony, school leaders, guests, mentors, and graduates gathered for a group photo to commemorate the occasion. As they step into the broader world, the graduates are ready to pursue their dreams across diverse fields and embark on bright, promising futures.



Photo Gallery

Congratulations to the 2025 graduates, and all the best to their future endeavors!

Written by: Chenxi Geng, Jiang An
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo