On March 19, the 2026 Professional and Leadership Mentor Program (PLM) commenced at Jingyuan Courtyard 3 of Yenching Academy. Associate Dean Fan Shiming hosted the event, and extended gratitude on behalf of the Academy to the mentors from various sectors, including public affairs, philanthropy, investment, science and technology, media, and international organizations.
In his opening remarks, Associate Dean Fan noted that the PLM Program aims to offer a platform for current students to connect with and receive support from mentors coming from diverse sectors, enabling our Scholars to gain insights that broaden their horizons to better examine the real world, and helping them forge career paths resilient to uncertainty. Associate Dean Fan hoped that our Scholars would reach out to their mentors and translate their classroom learning into real-world application to encourage meaningful growth.
The mentors listed below shared their professional experience and industry insights.
An Fengshan, Associate Dean of the Academy of Media and Public Affairs, Communication University of China
Drawing on his decades-long engagement with government bodies and corporate communications, An Fengshan shared his insights into major announcements and public relations. He noted that in a highly complex information landscape, effective communication rests on not only one’s skill of expression, but also an understanding of both the issue itself and its audience. Facing an ever-changing communication environment, it is more important to gauge what to say and how to say it, compared to a mere disclosure of information.
Chen Taiyong, Chair and Director of Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Center
Chen Taiyong recalled how he started with rural development projects for animal husbandry and gradually developed an array of poverty alleviation services to facilitate community-level capacity-building. Elaborating on a few specific poverty alleviation projects at home and their overseas extensions, Chen stressed that a charity organization should commit to “empowering others for self-reliant development”—a process that requires long-term engagement and cross-sector collaborations.
Li Lingxi, Managing Director of Princeton University Press China
Li Lingxi introduced Princeton University Press’s academic publishing program in China and its efforts for connecting different scholarly traditions. Li noted that the biggest challenge in cross-cultural publishing doesn’t come from language itself, but from how to understand the research underlying a scholarly tradition and how to translate it in a way acceptable to another culture.
Meng Zhaoge, Founding Partner at Gambit Ventures
As a seasoned venture investor and entrepreneur in the fields of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, Meng Zhaoge talked about her critical decisions in multiple industry cycles, from her first job in investment banking after the financial crisis before moving into technology VC to establishing an incubator. Reflecting on the boom, bust, and resurgence of the VR industry, Meng pointed out that major turning points usually emerge during an industry bust; remaining clear-headed in the face of uncertainty is key to development.
Dennis De-Qing Xu, Managing Partner of Shanghai Yaoyun Capital
Drawing upon his professional experience across academic research and industrial practice, Mr. Xu analyzed the relationship between the development of high-tech companies and the changing global market landscape. He emphasized that while facing globalization and constant policy shifts, a company must balance technological innovation and risk control as well as maintaining resilience to policy changes. Xu also introduced Gu Yongtao, Founder and CEO of HRC Group and a PLM mentor who was absent from the meeting.
Li Lu, Head of GM & Associates
Li Lu reflected on her engagement with multinational companies from angles of policy consulting and corporate strategy. She analyzed how a multinational company could adapt itself to the policy changes in Chinese market. Citing cases from the tutoring industry and platform economy regulation, Li noted that signals are often released through multiple channels before a policy is officially announced; it is crucial for a business to grasp the meaning of such policy signals.
Zhang Shilei, Managing Director at CGTN Digital
Zhang Shilei introduced how her team distributes content on CGTN’s multilingual platforms and detailed the differences they need to deal with in broadcasting across countries and cultures. Zhang observed that in media industry, one works in many different scenarios; in turn, the work requires sustained engagement and passion from those involved.
Shamas-ur-Rehman Toor, Head of the Project-affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Based on the practice of international organization governance, Shamas-ur-Rehman Toor stressed on the importance of public participation, complaint mechanisms, and transparency in PPM. He noted that in any multinational project, communication and coordination between stakeholders is a complex process and requires not only professional expertise but also a sense of responsibility from practitioners.
Qiu Lili, Co-founder of Beijing Peaceland Foundation and founder of Beijing AngelMom
Song Ankang, who is a YCA alumna from the Class of 2021 and the representative of Qiu Lili, introduced Peaceland Foundation’s efforts in the fields of international humanitarian action and social development, from participating in relevant UN meetings and launching multinational projects to fostering youth engagement in global topics. Song noted that Chinese social organizations are establishing a place for themselves on the international stage and playing a greater role in multilateral cooperation.
The mentors highlighted that interdisciplinary skills, global perspectives, and a capacity for continuous learning are increasingly important for personal growth in a fast-evolving era. They expressed the hope that Scholars would learn to refine their understanding through practice and develop their own judgment in solving real-world problems.
Huang Xuesong, Deputy Head of Student Affairs, briefed the audience on what the past PLM partnerships have achieved. She communicated the hope that our Scholars could reach out to their mentors and leverage the program’s resources to navigate their career paths.
After the meeting, our Scholars had in-depth dialogues with the mentors, gaining insight on the latest trends and challenges across sectors and receiving advice on career planning and capacity-building. Through this PLM meeting, our Scholars developed a deeper understanding of different sectors, and the Academy strengthened its ties with industry professionals, laying the groundwork for upcoming PLM activities.
In addition to the mentors present at the meeting, the 2026 PLM also invited mentors from internet companies, cultural institutions, and the industrial sector, including Chu Xin, Director of the Exhibition Department of Shanghai Museum; Gu Yongtao, Founder and CEO of HRC Group; and Jason Zhang, GTM Director for Smart Small Appliances & Development Department for AIoT, Xiaomi Corporation. These mentors joined the upcoming PLM events, providing support for our Scholars.
Professional and Leadership Mentor Program (PLM)
Yenching Academy established the Professional and Leadership Mentor Program (PLM) as a platform for current students to connect with and receive support from PKU alumni and industry insiders. Through the program, the Academy aims to enhance Yenching Scholars’ career prospects and improve their professional skills within the realm of China Studies. Likewise, the program stands as a channel to facilitate collaborations between industry stakeholders, universities, and research institutions, fostering mutual benefits and contributions to education development.
Each year, the Academy invites notable figures from a variety of sectors as mentors, offering invaluable support to Yenching Scholars in career planning and development. Through interactions with these seasoned professionals, our Scholars refine their professional competencies and gain insights that broaden their horizons, clarifying their future career aspirations.
Within the PLM program, the Academy organizes a range of activities, including dialogues, seminars, onsite visits, recommended internships, guided projects or surveys, and shadow exercises, providing comprehensive support to our Scholars as they navigate their career paths.
