On the morning of September 4, the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University held its Opening Ceremony for the academic year 2025 in the Peking University Hall. Attending the ceremony were: Li Shujing, Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Languages; Dean Chen Ming; Vice Deans Fu Zhiming, Wu Jiewei, Wang Dan, and Wang Heng; Deputy Party Secretaries Zhang Dongmei and Feng Meina (who presided over the ceremony)；staff representatives from all departments and research institutes; counselors from the Student Affairs Office; and all new undergraduate, master, and doctoral students of the Class of 2025.
Faculty and students watched a welcome video together. The shifting scenes captured warm moments of the Class of 2025’s first steps into Peking University campus: from beaming smiles and photo opportunities at the registration site, to attentive listening and lively discussions during orientation activities, and multilingual greetings from faculty and students of various language departments... The video preserved precious snippets of the new students converging from all directions by the side of Weiming Lake, evoking a sense of boundless anticipation and belonging among the attendees.
The ceremony commenced solemnly with the national anthem.
The first agenda item was speeches by student representatives. Whether stepping into Peking University campus for the first time or continuing a previous journey, the new students expressed immense excitement and lofty aspirations for their new life at the School of Foreign Languages.
Guo Shengjie, an undergraduate from the Class of 2025 in the Department of Arabic Language and Cultures, expressed his joy and anticipation for beginning this new chapter. He recalled the happiness and warmth felt in just the first few days, shared his initial motivation for choosing the School of Foreign Languages, and his understanding of the responsibility inherent in being a PKU student. Looking ahead, he hopes to join his new classmates in diligent study, down-to-earth efforts, and contributing youthful energy to fulfilling the pledge of “The World at My Feet, My Country in My Heart”.
Liang Guoling, a new master student from the Class of 2025 in the Department of German Language and Literature, shared her expectations for the new journey ahead. Reflecting on her four undergraduate years and volunteer teaching experience, she described how language served as a window to the diversity and symbiosis of cultures, and how various activities brought her genuine moments marked by whispers of “wonderful”, helping her find self-worth, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. Returning to the School for graduate studies, she hopes to continue exploring the unknown ahead alongside everyone as “communicators”, delving deeply into academia, engaging in cultural exchange, and answering the call of the times.
Xiong Yi, a new doctoral student from the Class of 2025 in the Program of Internatioanl and Regional Studies, recounted her academic path from undergraduate to doctoral studies, where the gears of history and foreign languages interlocked, driving new experiences and transformations. She stated that the School of Foreign Languages is fertile ground rich with nourishment and a diverse, vibrant stage. The new perspectives and understandings born from interdisciplinary encounters reinforced her original aspirations and confidence, allowing her to walk more steadily and farther on the path of academic research. Facing the upcoming doctoral journey, she is determined to weather the storms together with her peers, hoping to look back without regret upon reaching the destination.
At the start of the new semester, the faculty also had advice and expectations for the new students.
Mao Mingchao, Tenured Associate Professor from the Department of German Language and Literature, delivered a message as a faculty representative. Drawing from his own youth and student experiences, he spoke about the “uncertainty” and “diversity” inherent in university life. He candidly noted, “The pronunciation, spelling, and grammar rules of a language often have single, definite answers, but they lead us into a vast, broad, and profound world of thought and culture”. He encouraged students to actively explore and sail forward through difficulties and confusion, stating, “Learning a foreign language cannot be limited to simple communication; it requires a deep understanding of the history, humanities, and national character of the target country, and the ability to convey our own stance and ideas”. Simultaneously, he urged students to maintain rational and free independent thinking, to seek “success” beyond conventional definitions, to embrace the uncertainties of university life, and through the tiring yet joyful process of language learning, to touch upon countless possible worlds.
As a special segment of the ceremony, the new undergraduate classes presented their distinctive class slogans. Slogans like “Hearts tied to Weiming, chasing dreams in distant lands”, “E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle” (Italian: And so we came out to see the stars again), “Voices crossing the Rhine, hearts dedicated to China, seeking knowledge from Humboldt, German culture enriching Yan Garden” ... resonated in unison through the Peking University Hall. Thunderous applause and excited cheers interwove, showcasing youthful vitality and ambition.
Amid warm applause, Dean Chen Ming offered sincere welcoming remarks to the new students. Anchoring his speech on “How to be a worthy member of the School of Foreign Languages at PKU”, he expressed encouragement and expectations for the newcomers from three aspects: specialized learning, upholding values, and embracing responsibility. Dean Chen recounted the illustrious footsteps of the School’s predecessors, pointing out that “language is not only the foundation of communication but also a carrier of culture and a medium of thought”. He encouraged students to utilize the library’s rich resources, delve into diligent study, solidify their foundation, and broaden their horizons. Dean Chen also spoke from a historical perspective, citing examples like how translations during the War of Resistance boosted morale and the Bandung Conference fostered consensus, illustrating how foreign language learning contributes to a profound understanding of China and enables poised dialogue with the world. He urged the new students to become foreign language professionals with stance, thoughtfulness, and warmth. Finally, he reminded students not to forget the historical mission they shoulder, to actively leverage the School’s resources and platforms, to contribute their youthful strength to promoting mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations and to advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, thus composing a brilliant chapter of their youth.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, all faculty and students sang in unison the PKU song “Yan Yuan Qing”. The Opening Ceremony concluded successfully amidst warm applause and the melodious song.
Amidst the legacy of Weiming Lake and Boya Pagoda, a new journey begins; new swallows spread their wings, chasing dreams and sailing far. May all members of the Class of 2025, within the realm of languages, experience the encounter and charm of civilizations, ascend step by step following the fragrance of the crabapple blossoms, and embrace infinite possibilities.
Copywriter | Liu Yuzi
Photography | Classic Moment Photography, Zhu Siying
Translated by Zou Ya