The Global Business Journalism Program at Tsinghua University, School of Journalism and Communication celebrated its fifth commencement ceremony on July 12 with 25 new graduates at the Global Sources Hall. Administrative Dean Professor JIN, Jianbin, Associate Dean of International Development Professor SHI, Anbin，GBJ Program Co-Director Professor Hang Min and Professor James Breiner with ICFJ, as well as Mr. AI, Xihong, vice president of Merrill Lynch International in Beijing and John Liu Beijing bureau chief of Bloomberg attended and gave remarks to graduates.

Professor SHI, Anbin, associate dean of international development told the graduates that they could play a role in improving relations between nations."The concept of 'harmony' remains the core to the Chinese Dream," said Professor SHI. "In the Chinese language, the word 'harmony' (和谐he xie) means that everyone would have enough harvest and have equal right to speak. This Chinese Dream has been adequately elucidated by all kinds of names: Confucianism, communism, socialism, welfare capitalism, enlightenment, etc. These different names reflect that no matter what ideology we uphold, we have shared the same dream for the mankind. I hope all GBJ graduates would take a lead in making the dream of a harmonious world come true."

Nicholas James Compton, who is working at China Africa Magazine, gave a speech about the role of journalists in the new digital environment, where anyone can publish anything, be it truth, half-truth or hate-mongering lies. "This is where we come in. As journalists, trained in vetting sources and sifting through mountains of rumors to report on kernels of truth, now more than ever our reputation as truth seekers, as whistle blowers, and as ethically sound watchdogs is what matters and is what the public depends on."

Megan Lynn Thomas, who will work at Global Sources publishing company, told her classmates, "If I were to impart one thing to you today, it is this: make plans, work hard to create opportunity, but allow the future to surprise you. Most importantly, have the openness to embrace those surprises when they happen. China also faces a future full of beautiful possibility. From spaceship launches to the ascension of a new president, the acquiring U.S. pork companies to the spurring upward economic mobility for thousands of people, China has changed substantially even in the short time we have been here. "

LIU, Shaohua, who has lined up a job with People's Daily, told the audience he was "a simple country boy" whose vision was broadened by the GBJ program. "I had an opportunity to meet the reporters and anchors from Time Magazine, New Yorker, BBC and experts and officials from different areas. Eventually the knowledge and practice I got from GBJ gave me the opportunity to be an intern at Bloomberg News in Beijing where I got to participate in a world class newsroom, and I delivered more than 50 pieces in two months."

Representatives of two of the sponsors, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Bloomberg News, also addressed the graduates.

Ai Xihong, vice president of Merrill Lynch International in Beijing, told the graduates: "Investors need transparency in financial and business information in order to measure the risk of their capital investment, and then make the intelligent decisions. And journalists like every one of you will play a very important role in bridging the information gap between the business world and also the people on the street."

John Liu, Beijing bureau chief of Bloomberg, told the graduates that they would likely start out doing grunt work as entry-level reporters but to take advantage of every opportunity. He described how one of his first assignments fell to him because none of the veteran journalists wanted to do it. So he was sent to interview an unknown internet entrepreneur who was trying to build an online auction company to compete with eBay. Liu spent an hour with this skinny nobody, which served him well later when the entrepreneur, Jack Ma, had built the company, Alibaba, into a multibillion-dollar online sales giant.

The newly minted graduates are now members of the GBJ Alumni Association, which held its first meeting in December and selected TAN, Zongyang, from the first GBJ class, to serve as its leader. He is planning to attract a big-name speaker to the association's fall meeting. The Association's goals are to help alumni with professional development and career advancement as well as to have fun with friends.