In 1993, Yang Shuping was born in Kunming, Yunnan Province, where the four seasons are Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant. With excellent academic performance since childhood, she has shown extraordinary intelligence and potential. In 2012, Yang Shuping, who graduated from high school, successfully won a valuable place to study abroad in Kunming with excellent academic performance, opening the door to United States for her.
Filled with a thirst for knowledge and a desire for the future, 19-year-old Yang Shuping embarked on a flight to United States to the University of Maryland, a prestigious institution of higher learning in United States.
Here, Yang Shuping chose to major in drama and psychology, two disciplines full of creativity and insight.
When she first arrived in a foreign country, Yang Shuping inevitably felt a little uncomfortable, but with her intelligence and adaptability, she quickly integrated into United States's study life. During his studies at the University of Maryland, Yang Shuping's performance has always been excellent, and his grades have always been among the best.
Her diligence and talent have been recognized by her teachers and earned the respect of her classmates.
However, as time passed, some of her ideas and perceptions living in the United States seemed to have undergone some subtle changes. She began to become more and more immersed in the United States way of life, but her thoughts about her homeland became a little blurred unconsciously.
This change in mentality, at that time, even Yang Shuping herself may not have realized that she was simply enjoying the learning environment in United States and looking forward to a bright future after graduation.
Unexpectedly, a turning point in her fate was coming. In 2017, Yang Shuping, a prospective graduate, won the opportunity to give a commencement speech, which was supposed to be a beautiful moment to showcase her talent and life journey, but was reversed by ignorant remarks.
On May 21, 2017, the University of Maryland held a solemn graduation ceremony. As an outstanding representative of Chinese students, Yang Shuping was fortunate to have the opportunity to give a speech on stage. However, she was self-defeating by making unusual remarks, making this beautiful moment a turning point in her life.
Yang Shuping, who was standing on the podium, was full of excitement in his eyes. However, as soon as she opened her mouth, the Chinese students present were shocked. "I grew up in a city in China where I had to wear a mask every day when I went out or I would get sick," she said.
The remarks immediately caused an uproar at the scene, and the Chinese students looked at each other with incredulity in their eyes, many of whom are also from Chinese cities but have never had to wear masks every day.
Yang Shuping continued: "When I got off the flight in China, I wanted to bring a mask, but when I arrived in United States and smelled the fresh air, I took off the mask without hesitation, because the air here is so sweet, fresh and luxurious.
She then praised United States's "freedom" and "democracy": "In United States, I have experienced unprecedented freedom and democracy, I no longer feel depressed, I no longer have difficulty breathing, I no longer have smog on my glasses, and every breath I take in the United States is so pleasant."
This remark immediately caused a great reaction at the scene. United States students stood up and praised Yang Shuping for his "courage." However, the Chinese students were shocked and outraged.
Many of them, also from Chinese cities, have never experienced the kind of situation described by Yang, whose remarks not only distort the facts, but also grossly slander the motherland.
The video speech quickly went viral, causing more controversy. Chinese netizens spoke out to condemn Mr. Yang's remarks. Someone angrily asked, "Is your motherland, the mother of the motherland, filthy in your heart like this?" Some people also said in disappointment: "How can a person who doesn't even love his own country really love other countries?" "
In the face of overwhelming criticism, Yang Shuping seemed to realize the seriousness of his remarks. Her face was full of confusion and panic, and she didn't know how to deal with the sudden storm.
originally thought that this speech would win her praise, but she didn't expect it to push her to the forefront.
Yang Shuping's speech revealed a corner of the inner contradictions and struggles of some international students, but her expression was obviously inappropriate, hurting the feelings of her compatriots and casting a shadow over her own future.
Yang's graduation speech sparked a great controversy online, touching the sensitive nerves of Chinese netizens, who lashed out at Yang's remarks and took action to refute Yang's untruths.
Many netizens, especially those in Kunming, photographed the beautiful local scenery and posted it online, showing the pleasant climate and fresh air of Kunming with Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant all year round, in sharp contrast to the dirty environment described by Yang Shuping as "wearing a mask every day".
In this way, netizens not only expressed their love for their hometown, but also forcefully refuted Yang Shuping's remarks with facts.
In the face of the storm of public opinion, Kunming officials also reacted quickly. The official Weibo "Kunming Release" timely released the authoritative data of Kunming's four seasons Lucky Star Chinese Restaurant and pleasant climate. These data clearly show that Yang Shuping's hometown, which needs to "wear 5 masks", actually has good air quality and a pleasant environment.
The official response is not only a clarification of the facts, but also the maintenance of the city's image.
However, it doesn't end there. At this time, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded to the matter, elevating this personal incident to the national level. The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a moderate but firm tone that if Yang Shuping's apology is true, and if she really expresses her love for the motherland and is willing to return to China to make her own contributions after completing her studies, the Chinese government will welcome and support her.
The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows the tolerance and open-mindedness of the country, and also provides a new starting point for Yang Shuping's life. This response expresses the concern for overseas students, and also conveys the country's thirst for and tolerance for talents.
Surprisingly, however, Yang Shuping did not cherish this opportunity to regain her life, and she did not seem to really realize the seriousness of her words and actions to society. Despite official tolerance, her subsequent actions took a deplorable direction, which came as a surprise and set the stage for further developments in what might have been subsided.
Originally, Yang Shuping's apology statement could be the beginning of her return to the right track in life, but the development of events was unexpected by everyone. Just six months later, she made another controversial statement, this time in more extreme terms than in her graduation speech.
She confessed: "The air in United States is really sweet, so democratic, so free!" I really don't want to go back to China, the air pollution in China is really bad, I need to wear 50 masks now! "
This remark is undoubtedly a complete repudiation of her previous apology, and it also triggered a new round of public opinion storm. In the face of overwhelming criticism on the Internet, Yang Shuping seemed to have lost her mind, and she began to shout: "You are just jealous of me and don't want me to get a United States green card, I am a United States person." "
Her words and actions are shocking and heart-wrenching. That once excellent Chinese student is now completely denied his roots, and even proud of it. She only has a green card in her eyes for United States, but she has no gratitude for the motherland that raised her up.
Yang Shuping's series of words and deeds completely angered the Chinese people and made her situation in United States embarrassing. During the interview, when the interviewer knew that she was Yang Shuping, he couldn't help but ask her: "Why don't you stay in the sweet air of United States and have to come back?" This question not only exposes the contradiction between Yang Shuping's words and deeds, but also hints at her troubles in the job market due to her previous irresponsible remarks.
Yang Shuping's attitude has changed dramatically, from the initial apology to the later blatant defection, which makes one wonder: what caused her to make such a huge change? Obsessed with life in the United States? Is it the obsessive pursuit of a green card? Or is it a complete denial of one's own identity? Whatever the reason, her actions are regrettable and disappointing.
It is rumored that under the double pressure of the storm of public opinion and the employment dilemma, Yang Shuping got the help of his parents and tried to start over incognito. However, in today's highly developed information world, such means are clearly futile.
Her words and deeds have left an indelible mark on the Internet and have become a heavy burden on her life path.
Yang Shuping's experience reflects the identity crisis faced by some international students in a foreign country. However, her approach to this crisis is undoubtedly wrong. Her experience eventually became a deeply embarrassing lesson, warning every Chinese student who goes abroad that no matter where you are, you should never forget where your roots are.
Yang's story turned out to be a painful lesson. In order to get a United States green card, she did not hesitate to turn her back on her motherland, but in the end she was caught in a dilemma. With the help of her parents, she is rumored to have tried to start over incognito, but this attempt apparently ignores an important fact: in the age of the internet, once words and deeds are made public, it is difficult to completely erase them.
When we talk about this incident, we are deeply enlightened: the meaning of studying abroad is not to please foreigners, nor to pursue the so-called "sweet air", but to understand foreign culture and knowledge, and to contribute to the development of the motherland after returning to China, as the article says: "After graduation, return to China to make greater contributions to the country."
Yang Shuping's experience tells us that patriotism is not an empty word, but should be remembered in our hearts and deeds, and we should take it as our responsibility. No matter where you are, you must never forget where your roots are.
For every Chinese student studying abroad, Yang Shuping's story is a case worth pondering.
Finally, this incident also reflects that in the context of globalization, how to balance personal pursuit and national identity, and how to maintain cultural self-confidence in a foreign country are issues that every international student needs to think about seriously.
From Yang Shuping's lesson, we can see that only by caring for the motherland can we truly realize our personal value and gain true respect and recognition.