Graduate Class of 2025

Name: Lu Jinfeng
Program: Master’s in Geography (Urban and Regional Planning)
Advisor: Associate Professor Tong De
Hometown: Qingyuan, Guangdong Province
Undergraduate Institution: Sun Yat-sen University
Hobbies: Table tennis, basketball, billiards, yoga
Post-Graduation Plan: Guangxin Holdings Group Co., Ltd., Guangdong Province

On Learning: Embrace Complexity, Seek Integration

For Lu Jinfeng, urban and regional planning is not just a discipline—it’s a multidisciplinary arena that blends economics, architecture, sociology, and more. This diversity, he believes, is not a burden but a gift.

“What sets great planners apart is not only the breadth of their knowledge, but their deep awareness of real-world challenges.”

Lu encourages students, especially during their first year, to explore broadly and talk often. "In a place like Peking University, where brilliant minds converge, conversation itself is a shortcut to growth."

He views the planning classroom as only the beginning; the real lessons come from walking the streets of cities and villages, understanding the stories behind spatial design, and translating theory into practice.

Facing Challenges: Strength Comes from Within

Lu’s philosophy when confronting hardship is simple but powerful: become stronger.

“As Sun Wukong once said: ‘Rather than seeking divine answers, better to master your own fate.’”

Whether facing academic pressure, career choices, or personal dilemmas, Lu sees self-improvement as the ultimate solution. “Courage shrinks problems. The more you fear a challenge, the larger it becomes. Face it—and it becomes small.”

Career Choices: Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon

When it came to finding a job, Lu took to heart a piece of advice from a mentor: “Broaden your path before you dig deep.”

He explored widely before making his decision—from traditional planning to industry development—and ultimately chose to work in modern industrial planning, believing it aligned best with his personal values and the country’s development needs.

“Don't look at careers with outdated assumptions. Trends change. What’s ‘hot’ today may cool tomorrow. We must develop the ability to adapt, transform, and think strategically.”

He urges students not to let their major define them: “University is a starting line. What matters is your ability to learn, grow, and create—regardless of the industry.”

On Earning Recognition

Lu sees honors like “Outstanding Graduate” not as something to chase, but as a natural result of focused effort across multiple domains.

“If your work spans research and public service, and you've made meaningful progress in both—go ahead and apply. Recognition will follow.”

On Failure and Growth

“There is no such thing as failure—as long as you don’t quit. Every misstep is simply part of the road to the next success.”

Lu’s attitude toward setbacks is resilient. He sees them not as roadblocks, but as reminders to reflect, adjust, and move forward with greater clarity.

Final Reflections: Freedom of the Mind

What Lu values most—beyond awards and achievements—is something deeper: the pursuit of independent thought and free will.

“Our nation has always valued self-reliance. ‘As Heaven maintains vigor through movement, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-improvement.’”

For Lu, this cultural foundation is not abstract. It informs how he sees himself and the world. True strength, in his view, comes not from external praise but from an unwavering sense of purpose.

“A person with inner freedom isn’t bound by others’ opinions. They act based on their own principles. They don’t need applause to be at peace. They just need to know they’re on their path.”

This mindset, he believes, is also the soul of national renewal: “A thriving society needs independent, self-aware individuals. Collective brilliance grows from personal conviction.”

Honors and Achievements

·Awards:

oNational Scholarship for Graduate Students

o“Triple-A” Student, Peking University

oOutstanding Graduate, Peking University

·Research Contributions:

oFive academic papers published in Journal of Natural Resources, Economic Geography, Land Use Policy, among others

oOne paper selected as a “Core Literature” in Chinese Social Sciences (top 0.5%)

·Leadership and Service:

oParty Branch Secretary, Class of 2022, School of Urban Planning

oHead of Theory Study Division, PKU Party-Building Research Association