Peking University, September 4, 2026: On September 4, Peking University celebrated the start of the 2026-27 academic year with an opening ceremony at the May Fourth Sports Field. Presided over by Jiang Guohua, vice chair of the PKU Council, the ceremony kicked off with energetic dance performances from the Fenglei Dance Crew and musical renditions from student and faculty ensembles. Representatives of incoming undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty then took the stage to share reflections and aspirations.



From dreaming of PKU to living the PKU dream, representing the freshmen was Mei Zedong, who will begin his undergraduate studies in clinical medicine. Hailing from the mountains of Midu County, Yunnan Province, Mei Zedong recounted the origin of his PKU ambitions. Ever since 2013, Peking University has been providing targeted aid to Midu, sending PKU professors and students to assist in fields ranging from education to agriculture. During this time, he had once been involved in a campaign launched by the National School of Development to help cataract patients recover their vision, an unforgettable experience that motivated him to study medicine at PKU and give back to his hometown. "Real learning not only broadens one's horizon, but also helps more people be seen by the world."



Ye Jingtong, a PhD student from the School of Foreign Languages, offered her perspective on entering her eighth year at the Yanyuan campus. "Peking University never sets limits on who we can become," she affirmed, "whether it is deciphering a language on the verge of extinction or reconstructing a forgotten page of civilization from ancient texts." Encouraging incoming students to embrace the limitless possibilities, Ye Jingtong spoke candidly about the diverse career trajectories her peers have embarked on, including her own research journey documenting the language of the Maranao people. "Standing on the shoulders of our forefathers, we have the confidence to persevere in niche disciplines."



Professor Yuan Xinyi, from the Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, a PKU research institute, spoke on behalf of the academic faculty. Reflecting on his growth from student to teacher, Professor Yuan offered three pieces of advice to students. "Adjust your attitude, set short-term goals and don't hesitate to seek help." Drawing on his own experience for illustration, Professor Yuan recommended that students focus on self-improvement instead of peer comparison, work diligently on attainable short-term goals rather than lofty ideals, and actively seek help rather than hesitate in ambivalence. 



In the closing remarks, Gao Song, president of PKU, urged the audience to consider three questions: "What is the purpose of education? How should knowledge be pursued? Where should we set our sights?" 

Indeed, "without ambition, nothing in the world can be accomplished," President Gao quoted Wang Yangming, a great Chinese statesman from the Ming Dynasty. Citing the exemplary alumnus Chen Junwu '48, engineering, a pioneer in oil refining technology, President Gao encouraged students to align their personal aspirations with the needs of national development. In the pursuit of knowledge, President Gao cautioned against overreliance on technology in the age of artificial intelligence, as "AI cannot replace genuine curiosity towards an unknown field, nor independent judgement formed through repeated trial and error."



He then invoked PKU alumni Wang Hong and Deng Yu, recipients of the 2026 Fields Medals, to illustrate that "truly original breakthroughs always stem from humanity's curiosity about and determination to explore the unknown." Finally, wrapping up his speech, President Gao encouraged students to embrace the unique opportunities at PKU to broaden their worldview. "Peking University today serves as a key window for China to observe the world and as a vital platform for the world to understand China." 

Donning the Peking University lapel pin, the new students officially became part of the school today, joining their predecessors in their pursuit of truth and service to the society. The ceremony ended with a chorus of Yanyuanqing, the school anthem, as students began a new chapter in their life.
 

Written by: Lee Jie Xin
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by: Huang Zhe, Wang Ziqian, Guo Mengjiao, Zheng Tao, Xiang Tingyan, Ji Haoyu, Yang Yizhe, Zhao Xinmiao, Xu Yifeng, Li Xianghua, Liu Yan