www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZyU4FzJRKE&feature=youtu.be

Just saw the news on Zhihu, the original link needs a VPN

For those who can't get access to the original link, here is the text of the graduation speech made by a Kunminese at the 2017 commencement, University of Maryland:
Good afternoon faculty students parents and friends.

I am truly honored and grateful to speak at the commencement for the University of Maryland, Class of 2017. 

People often ask me: Why did you come to the University of Maryland?

I always answer: Fresh air.

Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport. I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breath of American air. I put my mask away. 

The air was so sweet and fresh, and oddly luxurious.

I was surprised by this. I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick.

However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport.

I felt free.

No more fog on my glasses, no more difficult breathing, no more suppression.

Every breath was a delight. As I stand here today, I cannot help, but recall that feeling of freedom. 

At the University of Maryland, I assume feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech.

Before I came to United States, I learned in history class about the Declaration of Independence, but these words had no meaning to me— Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.

I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades.

These words sounded so strange, so abstract and so foreign to me, until I came to University of Maryland.

I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American.

Each day in Maryland, I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues. 

I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I could even rate my professors online.

But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play— Twilight: Los Angeles.

Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots 

The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.

For six days, the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.

In Twilight, the student actors were openly talking about racism, sexism and politics.

I was shocked, I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.

The play was my first taste of political storytelling, one that makes the audience think critically. 

I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds of stories, but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative, only authorities could define the truth. 

However, the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse community at the University of Maryland exposed me to various, many different perspectives on truth.

I soon realized that here I have the opportunity to speak freely. 

My voice matters. 

Your voice matters.

Our voices matter.

Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians. I have witnessed this when I saw my fellow students marching in Washington DC, voting in the presidential election and raising money for support various causes.

I have seen that everyone has a right to participate and advocate for change.

I used to believe that one individual participation could not make a difference, but here we are, United Terps.

Together, we can push our society to be more just open and peaceful.

Class of 2017, we are graduating from a university that embraces a liberal arts education that nurtures us to think critically, and also to care and feel for humanity. 
We are equipped with the knowledge of various disciplines and we are ready to face to the challenges of our society.

Some of us may go to graduate school, some us may step into professions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration.

But no matter what we do, remember, democracy and free speech should not be taken for granted.

Democracy and freedom are the fresh air that is worth fighting for.

Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.

And as a French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre once said: freedom is a choice, our future is dependent on the choices we make today and tomorrow.

We are all playwrights of the next chapters of our lives. Together, we right the human history.

My friends, enjoy the fresh air and never let it go.

Thank you.

Pretty good speech.

brave... or short-sighted... I really can't decide. I wonder what might happen if she wants to return home.

She has already received a lot of attention from the haters out there on Weibo. Some who say she is lying because Kunming has no pollution. Yeh! tell me about it.
I think she have been very naive. I believe, sadly, that she will suffer the curse of social media. The human flesh search engine is probably already in overdrive, and I do feel sorry for anyone on the receiving end of the maelstrom, heading her family's way.
It has already gone viral and can be found on shanghaiist.com

shanghaiist.com/2017/05/22/maryland-speech.php

as for face masks, i am getting slowly worse in the coughing stakes. she may be right, she may be wrong

There are a lot of foreign Kunming teachers, current and former, out there. I was wondering if anyone taught Yang Shuping?

I've been told that a few times recently... 'Kunming has no pollution'. Erm... right... OK.

Well, from my perspective, the issue is not about whether Kunming has

pollution or not(every city in the world has certain degrees of pollution), but she's presenting her hometown and China in the wrong way, which would only intensify the pre-existing stereotypes of listeners about China, especially her shabby analogy between poor air quality

and terrible human rights conditions in China...What's even more disturbing to me is the fact that the authority of the university chose her as the speechmaker, so her words in certain degrees reprent the attitudes of University of Marryland.

If you are not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you are not conservative by 40, you have no brain. My guess she is 20 something. Those haters on weibo, would say the exact same thing as many a Chinese tourist that has stepped off a plane in the USA or Canada, oh the air is so nice here!

'Shuping Yang, was chosen by faculty and staff as a speaker...'. Possibly 'coached'. I heard a speech by a student recently and it was evident he'd been coached and had included religious sentiments planted by a teacher who is also a practicing Christian. Do faculty and staff here and abroad consider the impact of their involvement? They may truly believe they're being clever and serving a cause but care little about the consequences for the individual.