28 May, 2017
The University of Maryland stood by Yang and described her as a top student.
The incidents have raised questions about how educational institutions deal with Chinese political sensitivities while relying on the country's students for worldwide student fees.
Yang went on to say that the air she breathed in the United States "was so sweet and fresh and utterly luxurious".
"Every breath was a delight along with the freedom to speak out", Yang said during her graduation speech.
Chinese students hit back with vitriol.
A recent New York Times article has prompted discussion about the behavior of Chinese student groups on American campuses.
Quartz emailed the University of Maryland branch of the the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), a multi-chapter university organization for overseas Chinese students, but did not receive a reply.
We sometimes forget that despite its economic success, China is still a Communist country that stifles free speech and actively censors different viewpoints that don't toe the official line. She'll soon be back home choking on the suffocating atmosphere of China's one-party, communist state. She took the opportunity to praise the United States for the cleanness of its air compared to her hometown in China.
"We agree that there are environmental problems in China as in everywhere else, but Shuping's statements constitute an exaggeration and are not objective truths", Wu said.
Such was was the ferocity of the reaction, the University of Maryland was forced to publicly defend Yang, a psychology and theatre graduate.
The University of Maryland released a statement on Monday on its website saying it supports Yang's right to share her views. "She has an incredible ability to lick feet". "I did not intend to insult my country", she added. Online, leading liberal commentators have been largely cowed, and nationalists dominate the debate on social media, many actively encouraged by the authorities.
Needless to say, her remarks went immediately viral in China which elicited a storm of opposition from both citizens and the government.
"I also come from the city of Kunming, which is world famous for its good climate and weather", Zhang Jun, a PhD student at the University of Maryland, posted on his Facebook page on Sunday.
"What you gave is not free speech, but rumour-mongering and favour-currying ..." It was very inspiring and like you and your parents, I am also an American by choice and you have expressed some of the deepest feelings I feel for this country.
"Such a shameful speech with so many lies", said Yung Na, a student at Wake Forest.
"As an educated adult who should be able to think independently, she should understand that different countries have different systems, histories and backgrounds", said Zhang, who earned a master's from George Washington University in 2014.
"Is she trying to flatter the U.S. by saying our country is flawed?" another user questioned. He said Yang "was considered to be insulting China according to the received consensus of patriotic Chinese students overseas". You must be a phony torch-bearer of socialism.
A University of Maryland student was viciously attacked on social media for priaising freedom in the USA compared to her native China.
"I want to tell everyone to stop wasting time attacking this girl. She ruined it! We need APOLOGIES!" "UMD you have broken all Chinese students' heart!" One Beijing-based analyst said this was a good illustration of China's control over the internet. Global students, ineligible for financial aid, generally pay over $31,000 in tuition and $15,000 in room and board per year. She grew up in Kunming, Yunnan where is proudly known as "Spring City" and it's fresh air.
She has not responded to a request for comment from The Tab.
