Under the willows of Jimen Bridge and beside the tranquil waters of Xiaoyue River, the 2025 Graduation Ceremony of the College of Comparative Law was held in the Auditorium on Haidian Campus on the morning of 18 June.
College leadership, faculty members based in Beijing, alumni representatives, all graduating students, and many of their families and friends gathered to witness this milestone moment. The ceremony was hosted by Deputy Chair of the College Council Tian Zhaojun.
In his opening address, Tian warmly congratulated the graduates on the successful completion of their studies and expressed sincere gratitude to the faculty and families who supported them along the way. He then formally declared the commencement ceremony open. As the national anthem played, all stood in solemn respect, marking the ceremonial beginning of this joyous occasion.
Chair of the College Council Gu Yongqiang announced the Decision on the Recognition of Outstanding Graduates, encouraging award recipients to strive for even greater achievements and calling upon all students to learn from their example—to be ambitious, diligent, and determined to grow into capable and committed builders of socialism. College heads, faculty and alumni representatives presented awards to the honourees.
Graduate representative Jin Chu, a master’s student from the Class of 2021, expressed heartfelt gratitude to college leaders, teachers and family. Reflecting on his time at the College, he shared emotional insights inspired by the verses “the boat has passed ten thousand mountains” and “what once seemed ordinary now glows with meaning”. He spoke of the layered identities they now carry: as scholars, legal professionals, CUPL alumni, and—most distinctly—comparativists, urging coursemates to embrace their responsibilities and excel as members of a new generation of legal professionals.
Professor Sun Haibo, speaking on behalf of the faculty, offered graduates three parting messages, the courage to progress, the wisdom to adapt and the patience to pause. He said, legal professionals must master doctrine, but also cultivate a sense of justice and a commitment to the common good. He believed in a world defined by uncertainty, the only constant is change itself. He encourages the students to embrace a diverse and expand life journey, and when feeling lost, it is okay to stop and let your heart catch up with your pace before beginning again.
Alumna Mao Wendie, a 2014 graduate and a senior judge at the People’s Court of Chaoyang District in Beijing, shared her own journey from student to legal practitioner. She encouraged graduates to persist through difficulty and that perseverance turns effort into brilliance. She hoped the students aim high and align with national needs, growing with the nation and contribute to its legal system. She also wishes the students stay healthy and curious, balance work and well-being, and remain a lifelong learner both within and beyond the legal field.
Dean Xie Zhiyong delivered the final address of the ceremony, reflecting on the achievements of the College in recent years and expressing his appreciation to faculty and parents. His speech, titled “Embarking on a Life of Comparison”, shared four insights drawn from the discipline of comparative law,
“Make comparison your intellectual identity: Comparison is no longer just a subject or a method—it has become an internal lens through which you view the world. It is your academic fingerprint and source of resilience in a world of competing truths. Make comparison a path to truth: The essence of comparative law lies in drawing near to truth through diverse reference points and careful reasoning. As Professor Jiang Ping once said, truth arises through comparison. Make comparison a guide to wisdom: Life is full of complex choices. True wisdom lies in the ability to discern between options through reflective comparison. Take the time to pause, assess, and choose paths that align with your values and aspirations. Make comparison a lifelong habit: Comparison is not about competing over wealth or status, but about continuous growth and problem-solving. When it becomes as natural as breathing, you gain the power to orient yourself in turbulent times, resolve conflict with finesse, and pursue lifelong excellence."
In his closing remarks, Xie offered this heartfelt wish,
“May you remain curious and open, exploring widely and thinking deeply;
May you seek truth through comparison, discerning right from wrong;
May comparison become the quiet light of your soul, guiding you with clarity, courage, and wisdom through a complex world.
Live boldly, live wisely, and live well.”
The ceremony concluded with group photos capturing this unforgettable moment. With the spirit of CUPL in their hearts, the graduates now step into the world—ready to shoulder the responsibilities of legal reform and the rule of law. The bridge at Jimen and the river at Xiaoyue will forever bear witness to their youth and dreams.
As the graduates of 2025 set sail toward bright futures, may they continue to embody CUPL’s motto—Houde, Mingfa, Gewu, Zhigong (literally keeping integrity, mastering the law, looking for truth and serving the public)—and uphold the spirit of ‘truth comes from comparison’. May they persevere with resolve and courage in their new endeavours, and may the beacon of the College of Comparative Law always light their way forward.
