To Whom It May Concern:
Recently, there has been increasing attention from the press on my private
life. As a result of these speculations, I feel responsible to the public to
provide an account of the facts. I am deeply concerned about the events
surrounding my family, but I have no comments to make regarding the ongoing
investigation. It is impossible to address all of the rumours and
allegations about myself, but I will state the facts regarding some of the
most pertinent claims.
Facts:
• My tuition and living expenses at Harrow School, University of
Oxford and Harvard University were funded exclusively by two sources—
scholarships earned independently, and my mother’s generosity from the
savings she earned from her years as a successful lawyer and writer.
• My examination records have been solid throughout my schooling years
. In the British public examination of GCSEs, which I completed at the age
of 16, I achieved 11 ‘A Stars,’ whereas the necessary requirement is no
more than 9 and ‘A’ grades are considered good marks. I also earned
straight A’s for both AS level and A-level Examinations at the ages of 17
and 18, respectively.
• At the University of Oxford, I studied Politics, Philosophy and
Economics. I was a ‘tripartite’, being enrolled in all three subjects,
rather than dropping one in the second year, as is the norm. Upon graduating
, I earned a 2:1 degree (Second Class, First Honours) overall and achieved a
First in Philosophy.
• During my time at Oxford, it is true that I participated in ‘Bops,
’ a type of common Oxford social event, many of which are themed. These
events are a regular feature of social life at Oxford and most students take
part in these college-wide activities.
• Like many other university students, I also devoted time and energy
to extra-curricular activities. For example, I debated in the Oxford Union
and served as president of the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Society.
These extra-curricular activities enabled me to broaden my perspective,
serve the student community, and experience all that Oxford has to offer. I
am proud to have been the first mainland Chinese student to be elected to
the Standing Committee of the Oxford Union, and I truly value the close
friendships I formed with my fellow students.
• I have never lent my name to nor participated in any for-profit
business or venture, in China or abroad. However, I have been involved in
developing a not-for-profit social networking website in China, the aim of
which is to assist NGOs in raising awareness of their social missions and
connecting with volunteers. This initiative has been based out of the
Harvard Innovation Lab, with the participation of fellow students and
friends. The project remains in the development stage and is not live.
• I have never driven a Ferrari. I have also not been to the U.S.
Embassy in Beijing since 1998 (when I obtained a previous U.S. Visa), nor
have I ever been to the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in China. Even my
student Visas were issued by the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu, which is closer
to my home of five years.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my teachers,
friends and classmates for their support during this difficult time. In
particular, I wish to thank the Harvard Kennedy School for the support it
has extended to me as a member of its community. I understand that at the
present, the public interest in my life has not diminished. However, I
wholeheartedly request that members of the press kindly refrain from
intruding into the lives of my teachers, friends and classmates.
Faithfully,
Guagua Bo
