Phot: Liu Wei

BEIJING, June 16 -- Seven-time world table tennis champion Liu Wei became the newest PHD of Peking University as she was conferred with her degree at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old Liu, an associate professor at China's most prestigious university since 2003, received the degree after her dissertation and oral presentation and defense were unanimously approved by the academic committee.

Liu, a strong advocate for new Chinese sporting system to replace the old one that led to a single-minded fixation on winning gold medals, said Chinese sports should be based on school.

"I study how to combine school sports with national ambitions for international sporting glory," she said. "That's what my doctoral thesis is all about."

"Most Chinese students are focused on academics and are given little time to take part in sports at school. I think China should change its top-down factory approach and embrace a universal practice of physical activity that would give young people the joys and health benefits of sports," she added.

Liu studied in Peking University's law school as an undergraduate from 1999 to 2003, having declined an offer to be a top sports administrator in her home province Shandong.

"I admire Liu Wei's courage to choose a different path to success," said Wang Tao, the head of the Chinese military table tennis team, who had paired up with Liu to win three straight world mixed doubles titles.

"I had doubts when she joined Peking University, which is China's equivalent to Harvard," said Wang. "We were athletes and we didn't spend much time on books when we were young. World table tennis champions usually take coaching jobs or become sports officials after they retire.

"Liu Wei is different and more ambitious. After 16 years of hard work, Liu Wei is a PHD now. I am happy for her, and sort of envy her."