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Shaoxing University welcomed more than 4,400 freshmen on Sept 14 with a speech by actor Zhang Jinlai, renowned for his portrayal of the Monkey King in the 1986 television series Journey to the West.

In his speech titled The Road Ahead, Zhang emphasized the enduring spirit of Journey to the West, noting that the Monkey King's optimism and courage in overcoming adversity remain central to the classic's lasting influence.

He said this perseverance reflects China's cultural resilience and continues to find resonance globally, a theme he has shared in lectures at Harvard, Oxford, and other universities.

Zhang, who was appointed honorary dean of the Cai Yuanpei School of Art and Design at Shaoxing University in April, has deep local ties.

With ancestral roots in Shaoxing, he is a fourth-generation inheritor of Shaoju Opera, a traditional local opera form.

Over the decades, Zhang has dedicated himself to promoting the spirit of the Monkey King and traditional Chinese culture. His Monkey King character became the first mythological figure to be featured in the nearly 200-year history of Madame Tussauds.