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A Newly Minted Rhodes Scholar
A Newly Minted Rhodes Scholar
Date：2023-06-26
Xiaohan Zhang
Xiaohan Zhang, a graduate student specializing in Constitutional and Administrative Law from PKU Law class of 2023, was chosen as one of the four Rhodes Scholars from mainland China in 2022.
Beyond academia, Zhang gained experience through her legal practice at various institutions, including the Administrative Division of The Supreme People's Court, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, and Fangda Partners. She also earned the opportunity to participate in a summer exchange program at Harvard Law School, where she achieved straight A's. Additionally, she took part in social practice events like the "Morningside Cultural China Scholars Program". On her 20th birthday, Zhang seized the opportunity to converse with former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Kissinger.
Zhang demonstrated her compassion for refugee protection through a series of initiatives. She planned and implemented a forum named "Dialogue Asia and Africa" that centered around "Humanitarian Care for Vulnerable Groups in Africa and the Middle East." Inviting guests from diverse backgrounds, she initiated important conversations on the protection of Asia and Africa's vulnerable groups. Collaborating with non-profit organizations, she organized an art empowerment-themed exhibition, highlighting the artworks of children living in slums and handicrafts made by refugee women.
As a Rhodes Scholar, Zhang views this as an opportunity for personal growth and maintains an attitude of exploration and awe. In the fall of 2023, Zhang will continue her education in the Master of Philosophy in Law program at the University of Oxford. She is setting the goal to deepen her understanding of the impact of technology and specialization on modern public law.
Zhang our law school’s fourth recipient of the distinguished Rhodes Scholarship for Chinese students .
The Rhodes Scholarship, founded in 1903, is one of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programs. The Rhodes Scholarship became open to Chinese students first in 2015. Since then, four PKU law students from China have been selected as Rhodes Scholars, making our law school the academic home of the largest number of winners of the scholarship among all departments in Chinese universities .
Wanyu Zhang (Class of 2016)
Wanyu Zhang, a 2016 alumna of Peking University Law School, was selected as a 2015 China Rhodes Scholar. She is one of the first four Rhodes Scholars from China and the very first student from PKU Law to receive this prestigious award.
Wanyu Zhang is a highly accomplished lawyer with a distinguished academic background. After graduating from Peking University with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 2016, Zhang was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. She graduated from Oxford with a second Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) in 2018. Zhang then continued her studies at Stanford Law School, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 2021. She was also selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, a prestigious award given to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential.After graduating from Stanford, Zhang joined the law firm Covington & Burling LLP as an associate. She specializes in international trade disputes. Zhang is a highly skilled lawyer with a deep understanding of international law. She is also a strong advocate for her clients. In addition to her legal work, Zhang is also active in the academic community. She is a member of the American Society of International Law and the International Law Association. She is also a frequent speaker on international law topics.
Wanyu Zhang has a strong commitment to social justice.In addition to her professional work, Zhang is also passionate about providing pro bono legal aid to underprivileged populations. She is the co-founder of Community, Society, and Life, an educational summer camp dedicated to underprivileged rural children in China. She also serves as a youth ambassador for the Common Future Fund for Refugees and has volunteered at the Rhodes Scholars' South Africa Forum in the United Kingdom.
Zhang believes that the opportunity to become a Rhodes Scholar was a transformative experience that helped her to grow as a lawyer and as a person. She credits the Rhodes Scholarship with giving her the confidence and the skills to advocate for the rights of the marginalized.Zhang is a shining example of how a Rhodes Scholarship can change the world. She is a talented lawyer who is using her skills to make a difference in the lives of others. She is an inspiration to us all.
Qi Lei (Class of 2018)
Qi Lei is a 2020 Rhodes Scholar and a rising star in the legal field.
Lei graduated from Peking University Law School in 2018, where she was the Chairwoman of the Legal Assistance Association and a champion of the Jessup National Moot Court Competition. She also gained experience as a summer associate at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
After graduating from PKU, Lei continued her studies at Oxford University, where she earned a master's degree in Law and Finance. During her time at Oxford, she served as a legal advisor to the Rhodes Incubator, a venture capital firm focused on investing in startups initiated by Rhodes Scholars. She was also awarded the Warden-Dean's Scholarship and the Oxford-Schwarzman Scholarship.
Lei is currently a student at Yale Law School, where she is a fellow at the Information Society Project and a researcher at the Thurman Arnold Project. She is also the Chairwoman of the Sustainable Finance Conference.
In recognition of her achievements and dedication to the Rhodes community, Lei was appointed as the Rhodes-China Ambassador. In this role, she will focus on promoting diversity, inclusion, and quality within the Rhodes Scholarship program, ensuring that it continues to attract and support exceptional students from all backgrounds.
Lei graduated from Peking University Law School in 2018, where she was the Chairwoman of the Legal Assistance Association and a champion of the Jessup National Moot Court Competition. She also gained experience as a summer associate at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
After graduating from PKU, Lei continued her studies at Oxford University, where she earned a master's degree in Law and Finance. During her time at Oxford, she served as a legal advisor to the Rhodes Incubator, a venture capital firm focused on investing in startups initiated by Rhodes Scholars. She was also awarded the Warden-Dean's Scholarship and the Oxford-Schwarzman Scholarship.
Lei is currently a student at Yale Law School, where she is a fellow at the Information Society Project and a researcher at the Thurman Arnold Project. She is also the Chairwoman of the Sustainable Finance Conference.
In recognition of her achievements and dedication to the Rhodes community, Lei was appointed as the Rhodes-China Ambassador. In this role, she will focus on promoting diversity, inclusion, and quality within the Rhodes Scholarship program, ensuring that it continues to attract and support exceptional students from all backgrounds.
Fengquan Wang (Class of 2022)
Fengquan Wang, an alumnus of Peking University Law School's Class of 2022, has been selected as a 2022 China Rhodes Scholar.
Wang is a highly accomplished student with a strong academic record and a passion for social justice. He is fluent in English and Mandarin, and he has a deep understanding of Chinese law and culture. Wang is also an accomplished debater and researcher. In the 18th Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot, he led his team to secure a place among the top 32 worldwide, ranking eighth in the general rounds. He himself won the Best Oralist Award, ranking first out of 456 debaters. Additionally, he is a member of the Silk Road SOAR Youth Leadership Programme, where he conducted research and wrote reports on the theme of poverty in locations such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Hong Kong.
Fengquan Wang, understanding the importance of cultivating legal acumen and interdisciplinary research capabilities, continued his academic journey to the Faculty of Law at Oxford University, where he is pursuing a Master of Laws degree. During his studies, he will conduct academic research in civil justice under the supervision of Professor Andrew Higgins.