Dear students, distinguished guests, alumni, and teachers:  

Good morning!    

Today, we gather here for Liaoning University 2026 Graduation Ceremony and Degree Conferral, witnessing our graduates complete their studies and set out on a new journey with honor. On behalf of the university’s Party and administrative leadership, and on behalf of all faculty, staff, and students, I extend the warmest congratulations to every graduate! To the teachers and counselors who have dedicated themselves to scholarship and to nurturing students, who have served diligently and selflessly, I offer my most sincere respect! To the parents, alumni, and friends from all walks of life who have cared for and strongly supported the university’s development, I express my heartfelt gratitude!

Four years ago when I first came to Liaoning University, just like you, the undergraduates, who were just stepping onto campus. You began your journey of learning, and I took up a solemn responsibility — together we entered a journey that was not easy. Over four years together, I have watched you shed youthful naivety and grow more mature, and worked with you to tackle real challenges. Now you have succeeded in your studies and are ready to set out; the university’s Double First-Class development has also found its footing and opened new horizons in this major test. Each in our own mission, we have completed this leg of the journey, arriving at today’s gathering and parting. Today, master’s and doctoral students whose duration of study varies are also with us; though our paths crossed at different times, sharing the same campus and the same academic tradition — this encounter and companionship, regardless of length, is equally precious and unforgettable. One journey has reached its close. You are about to venture into a wider world, while I will continue to stand here, rooted on this ground, cultivating. When you have weathered every storm and return with honor, the ever-renewing Liaoning University  will welcome you home with an even better vistas.

A return can be looked forward to, but the journey ahead must begin now. Today is the fourth time that I have stood here to see you off. At this moment each year, I always have many words to share with you. The first year, I shared the “Four Sentences of Hengqu” for our mutual encouragement, hoping you would bravely shoulder the responsibility of history: “To establish the moral conscience for heaven and earth, to secure a dignified livelihood for all people, to inherit the lost wisdom of ancient sages, and to bring lasting peace to ten thousand generations.” The second year, I gave you both the warmth of “Having known the vastness of heaven and earth, one still cherishes the green of grass and trees” and the ambition of “Guiding the sovereign to the heights of Yao and Shun, and to make customs pure again,” hoping you would gaze at the stars afar yet also bend down to care for the grass beneath your feet. May you have iron shoulders to bear the weight of justice, and a tender heart to embrace the world with love. The third year, I said, “I rejoice in my life, for I am fortunate to be born in this era,” rejoicing that you were born into this era of sweeping changes, and urging you not to let rare opportunities slip away. The first year is about ideals and responsibility; the second year vision and compassion; the third year the era and growth. These different three sayings in three years all address the same question: how should young people set their goals, conduct themselves in the world, and not let down the era and their youth.

And today, I wish to share a few more heartfelt words with you. When ideals have taken root in your heart, vision has come into focus, and growth is already underway, what truly determines how far you can go is the inner steadiness and the clarity of your own conduct. “Small Acts Shape a Righteous and Boundless Life” is the farewell message I give you this year. It comes from a work of Mr. Chen Yan, winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, and speaks of how, even within the narrow confines of a stage, in the smallest details of one’s personal words and actions, one can still hold an upright and bright spirit that resonates with the vast world. Today, I share this with you for mutual encouragement, hoping you will have both the resolve to forge ahead and take on your mission and the grace to take ups and downs in stride and meet the world with openness. Guard your true heart, keep your words and actions upright, walk with composure, and step out into a life of your own breadth.

First, repay the cultivation of those who nurtured you with gratitude. For you, this “cultivation” means the opportunities afforded by the times, your alma mater’s nurturing, your mentors’ guidance, and the fellowship of classmates. “It is only after a Bole appears in the world that a thousand-li horse can be found. Such horses are common enough, but a Bole is not.” Be grateful to those who chose you when things were going well, those who stood by you in your lowest moments, those who bolstered you when you faltered, and those who guided you when you were lost. No matter when or where, the trust, care, and support from organizations, institutions, and loved ones are the most precious wealth of our lives.

Young people naturally have soaring ambitions, while scholars ought to carry humility into their worldly endeavors. In years past, you, with mountains and seas in your hearts, full of drive and resolve, pursued learning and chased dreams, cultivating a clear and upright character. You stepping out of campus, I hope you will not become dismissive of the world simply because of what you have learned, nor judge the world’s complexity through the lens of a “top student.” Instead, bend downward — having known the vastness of heaven and earth, still cherish the green of grass and trees — seek truth from facts, reject empty rhetoric, stay grounded in reality, and approach things pragmatically.

Years of academic training at your alma mater have given you confidence for the road ahead, but that should never become grounds for pride and arrogance or a ticket to disconnect from real life. On the road ahead, you will inevitably face unseen efforts and delayed recognition, but please believe this: every hardship hones you for growth; every setback can be a gift. True confidence is not about being held in high regard everywhere, but standing firm when misunderstood, still growing when overlooked. This steadfastness comes from the cultivation of organizations, the support of institutions, and the care of loved ones — that itself is the greatest recognition. Once you grasp this deeply, you can shed youthful naivety, let go of pride, build strength through quiet perseverance, and reach distant goals through tempering. I hope you cherish your bonds and be grateful, carry gratitude always, meet every expectation with real effort, and honor every trust with responsibility.

Second, take personal ups and downs with ease. In life, you will go through many role changes and shifts in circumstances, but I believe none will be as transformative and inescapable as the one you are about to face. Leaving behind the sheltered calm of campus, the complex, the multifaceted wilderness of life will be laid bare before you. You will encounter all kinds of people and events, confronting real-life challenges that no mentor has taught you about or could have foreseen: perhaps you are full of enthusiasm yet meet misunderstanding; perhaps you work diligently yet are temporarily overlooked; perhaps you harbor lofty ambitions yet are confined by circumstances; perhaps you proceed cautiously yet encounter unforeseen reversals. These unexpected difficulties, and associated disillusionment, are the very crucible that tempers your resolve and refines your inner self.

General Secretary Xi Jinping encourages young people to handle short-term wins and losses with the right perspective — not growing complacent in good times and losing heart when setbacks come, so that both favorable and adverse circumstances become life’s assets rather than its baggage. After years of diligent study, you are the hope of your country, the backbone of society, the future of your families, so you should have a vision that is expansive enough to hold mountains and seas, and the composure to weather both rise and fall. In good times, stay vigilant and do not forget where you came from; in hard times, stay calm and do not lose your integrity under strain.

The world does not always grant what we wish, and circumstances rarely offer a smooth path at every turn. I hope you will not worry too much about whether your station is humble or lofty. Just remember:“ Even in humble circumstances, keep a broad and generous heart; even in high positions, stay upright and incorruptible.” Rather than being fixated on temporary ups and downs, it is better to cultivate the equanimity of “Everything is in its rightful place, following its own nature.” This equanimity is not about giving up or backing off; it is the composure of one whose heart embraces the whole world and the composure that comes from standing firm. Hold fast to this truth: “Those with mountains and valleys in their heart find that even a square inch is a whole world; those with a bright moon in their heart find clear radiance wherever they go.”

Third, strictly uphold Party discipline and national laws with reverence. Reverence is inner awe and fear is self-discipline in what you say and do. The ancients said: “With fear one does not act recklessly, and virtue is thereby formed; without fear one follows whatever one desires and meets disaster.” The Ming Dynasty neo-Confucian scholar Xue Xuan identified three levels of integrity: “Those who see the truth clearly and do not take what is not theirs are of the highest level; those who value their reputation and do not take improperly are of the second level; those who fear the law and wish to protect their official position and therefore do not take are of the lowest level.” This is not directed only at officials, but at everyone who wants to stand firm and go far in this world. As you leave campus, the temptations, trials, and boundary lines you face will be far more complex than those here. Sometimes they will be a windfall of dubious origin, an unwritten rule of “everyone does this”, or just a momentary impulse to gamble on luck. At such moments, what truly protects you is not cleverness, but reverence.

Liaoning University is a comprehensive institution of higher education under the Double First-Class initiative, where each discipline has its strengths, just as each of you has your own calling. As you set off toward distant horizons, each of you has a different destination. If you choose to enter public service sector and serve your hometown, then “Fairness gives rise to clarity; integrity gives rise to authority” shall be the unshakeable yardstick in your heart. With power in hand, you know reverence all the more. If you choose to devote yourself to scholarship and pursue true knowledge, then “In cultivating one’s words, one establishes sincerity” shall be the bottom line you must never forget — “Writing is a matter of eternal significance; its merits and flaws are known only in the author’s own heart.” If you choose to enter the business market, then “A noble person loves wealth, but takes it only in the right way” shall be your safeguard for steady, lasting progress. Never profit against your conscience and never act against your principles. If you choose to root yourself at the grassroots and serve the local community, then “Though we are humble local officials, we still care about every trivial matter concerning the common people.” shall be your deepest devotion. If you choose to dedicate yourself to industry and serve the nation through technology, then “One should constantly refine oneself just as artisans cut, file, carve, and polish their materials.” shall be your motto for relentless improvement. True mastery comes only through painstaking craftsmanship. No matter where you go, you will develop your own professional ethics, industry norms, and personal codes of conduct, which will be rooted in your heart and should be honored for life.

How far a person can go depends not only on how capable they are, but even more on how high a standard they set for themselves. The law is the baseline; holding the baseline only keeps you from falling. Bearing reverence in your heart makes sure you stand straight, walk upright, and earn respect. A truly powerful person is never an opportunist skirting the rules, but a creator who excels within them. Knowing what you must not do matters more than knowing what you can do. I hope that, no matter when or where, you will all “Be cautious at the beginning, be cautious about small things, power and friends, be cautious when alone.” With reverence in your heart, you need fear no taboo; with conduct that never oversteps bounds, you can go anywhere in the world.

Fourth, pursue purposeful work and creation with an enterprising heart. General Secretary Xi Jinping encourages young people to integrate their personal aspirations into the broader picture of national development. You are in the best era of China in five thousand years, and fortunate to witness a magnificent Chinese miracle. The logic behind this miracle is that China has forged a path combining an effective market with a proactive government, and the strong leadership of a resolute party has provided the fundamental guarantee for their coordination. You are in the prime of youth and shouldn’t be bystanders to this miracle, but its builders and successors. Over the past few years, you have read, thought, and grown here; from today onward, you will step into this “effective market,” understand this “proactive government,” and become part of the tide of the era led by this “resolute party.” This means: every task you do, every bit of value you create and every principle you hold all contribute to the building of the next chapter of this nation’s miracle and add your due share to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The rise of a great nation is no empty narrative. The name “China” carries tremendous weight — realized in every profession and borne on each of your shoulders. “A thousand voices of agreement cannot match one voice of honest dissent” — when others hesitate, dare to lead; when others easily give up, step forward with conviction. Such courage and resolve give true meaning to speaking forthrightly. Do not think the nation’s vision or the great affairs of the world are far removed from ordinary individuals; the principle that “To be an official but avoid responsibility is a lifelong shame” applies to every practitioner. No matter what position you hold, that not dodging responsibility, not doing things half-heartedly or not sidestepping difficulties is the simplest yet most powerful answer to our times. As you sang loudly at last night’s graduation concert: “Who loses, who wins, only heaven knows.” Remember: “An official’s reputation comes after departure in the people’s casual talk.” The marks left by those who do real work are never found in today’s noise, but in the heart’s reckoning, weighed by time.

General Secretary Xi Jinping calls on young people to cultivate an enterprising spirit. This expectation has already become a tangible record of growth in each of you. Among you are strivers who broke through obstacles and held fast to their purpose — switching majors across disciplines and starting from scratch, catching up through round-the-clock study, consistently ranking first in their program for four consecutive semesters, proving that deep dedication eventually bears fruit. Among you are policy advisors grounded in practice and devoted to the nation — shrewdly reading industry trends, writing independent policy briefs that were adopted by national think tanks and received official endorsement, living out the ideal of writing research that serves the country. Among you are researchers who devoted themselves to tackling challenges and pursuing true knowledge — publishing six SCI papers as first author, demonstrating academic strength through solid achievements. Among you are seekers who pushed deeper into the frontiers and honed their talents for the long road — successfully selected for the China Association for Science and Technology’s Young Talent Support Program for doctoral students, making their mark in research. These vivid stories are the gradual accumulation of an enterprising spirit, and the first surge of a life of purposeful work and creation.

“An official’s tenure lasts but a single term, yet his benevolent deeds, cherished like the sweet pear tree of ancient times, will endure for a thousand years.” The spirit embodied in these sentence belongs to every person who does solid work: not chasing fleeting renown, but seeking only a clear conscience. Students who come from Liaoning University should especially have such vision and such strength of character. I hope you cultivate the mindset of “Success need not be mine”, forge the historic responsibility of “Success must have my contribution”, take unceasing self-improvement as your “advance” and stepping forward to fulfill duty as your “gain”. Build strength in quiet times, seize the moment when opportunity comes, let enterprise become the defining trait of your journey, work steadily through the sweeping tide, and forge your own distinction finally.

The summer is at its finest, and farewell songs softly rise to send you on your way. As parting draws near, looking back on what has been said today — gratitude, peacefulness, reverence, and enterprise, each seemingly distinct while in fact complement one another. Enterprise and reverence are the principles and responsibilities that anchor a person in the world, urging us to stay grounded and work with dedication, to bear responsibility and persevere on the track of our times. Peacefulness and gratitude are the wisdom and grace that steady the heart, teaching us to know when to press forward and when to ease back, to keep our inner compass true, to stay grounded amid life’s turbulence and move forward with composure. One force and one stillness, one action and one vigilance — they form the whole posture of a life: standing in the world through responsibility, nourishing the soul through passion, seeing the long view through perspective.

Farewell, dear students! Looking back on your years of study — time has been your passage, and every memory a page in your story; ahead lies a vast world, your dreams setting sail toward distant horizons. Your alma mater is the harbor at your departure, and the wind that carries your dreams forward. May you remember your roots so they grow deep; accept both success and setback so your character becomes whole; hold reverence to keep your integrity; be ready to climb so you can see how vast the world is. With breadth and endurance one reaches far; with firm resolve and earnest effort one acts. “From here you ascend to the heavens; the Peng bird rides the wind, the Kun fish transforms — let us speak further of your journey.” May you carry the spirit of mountains and rivers wherever you venture, and return still with the sincere heart of youth! And we, the more than 2,700 teachers of Liaoning University, solemnly promise: when you return one day, Liaoning University will have become a truly substantive, upright and clean, self-improving and outstanding, global-minded word-class institution of higher education! Today, we are proud of you; tomorrow, you will be even more proud of your alma mater, Liaoning University!

Thank you, everyone!

   

Translated by: Li Xinyuan

Edited by: Gao Mengdi, Liu Hanlin

Proofread by: Li Zhibin

Reviewed by: Jin Jinghua