China Foreign Affairs University
外交学院

Why Study at China Foreign Affairs University

Brief Introduction

China Foreign Affairs University, the only institution of higher learning under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of P.R.China, aims to train professional personnel in Foreign Service, international studies as well as in the careers related to international business and law. The university was founded in 1955 under the suggestion of the late Premier Zhou Enlai.  Accredited by the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council of the P.R.China, CFAU offers Doctoral, Master and Bachelor degrees. The strong subjects of CFAU are Diplomacy, International Relations, and International Law.

1. History 

China Foreign Affairs University was founded in 1955, and is affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the university is not to be confused with the University of International Relations, also in Beijing). The predecessor of China Foreign Affairs University was the Department of Diplomacy of Renmin University of China. Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of China Chen Yi was the president of the university from 1961 to 1969. The University was forced to close during the years of Cultural Revolution. It was reopened in 1980 under the auspices of Deng Xiaoping. Most of the former presidents of China Foreign Affairs University are ambassadors. The current president is Qin Yaqing, specialist in international relations. Before 2005, the university was called the Foreign Affairs College in English. Since September 2012, the first-year, second-year and third-year undergraduates and first-year postgraduates have moved to the new campus in Shahe, Changping District, which is around 30km to the downtown area. With more advanced facilities and even more beautiful environment, the Shahe campus provides students with better study experience

2. Discipline and programs

China Foreign Affairs University is accredited by the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council of the P.R.China to offer Doctoral, Master and Bachelor degrees. The strong subjects of China Foreign Affairs University are Diplomacy, International Relations, and International Law. Over the past 50 years China Foreign Affairs University has turned out nearly 20,000 students, who have excelled in the fields of Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs and International Studies, and have made tremendous contributions to China’s diplomacy. China Foreign Affairs University is crowned as "Cradle of Chinese Diplomats". CFAU has been organizing professional programs for diplomats and media professionals from foreign countries for years.

3. Academic facilities and Scientific research 

The old campus of China Foreign Affairs University (Zhanlan Road Campus) is located in the downtown area between western 2nd ring road and 3rd ring road of Beijing, about 7 kilometers from Tiananmen. Beijing Exhibition Center, Meilanfang Theater, Capital Stadium, National Library and other cultural sites are within walking distance from China Foreign Affairs University. The campus enjoys a serene and pleasant environment for study and living. Since September 2012, the first-year, second-year and third-year undergraduates and first-year postgraduates have moved to the new campus in Shahe, Changping District, which is around 30km to the downtown area. With more advanced facilities and even more beautiful environment, the Shahe campus provides students with better study experience. Departments and institutes engaged in teaching and research include Department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Management, Department of English and International Studies, Department of Foreign Languages, Department of International Law, Department of International Economy, Department of Basic Education, Department of Graduate Studies, School of International Education, plus Research Institute of International Law and Research Institute of International Relations. Two national-level associations-the Chinese Society of International Law and the China National Association for International Relations are based in the University.  There are also the research centers like UN Studies Center, European Studies Center, and Asia-Pacific Studies Center on campus.      

4. China Foreign Affairs University Achievement

Trusted by the ministry of foreign affairs and ministry of commerce of China, China Foreign Affairs University has been organizing professional programs for diplomats and media professionals from foreign countries for years. The training programs cover the Chinese language, International Relations, Diplomacy, National Conditions of China, Media, etc. From 1994 to the end of 2014, over 2800 participants from more than140 countries have joined the programs. In the year of 2008, authorized by the State Council of China, China Foreign Affairs University became one of the first five national foreign aid training centers in China. China Foreign Affairs University is a member of the Meeting of Deans and Directors of Diplomatic Academies and Institutes of International Relations, and sends its delegation to attend the meeting each year. Since 2003, CFAU has invited renowned experts, scholars and leaders in all fields from inside and outside of China to speak at the China Foreign Affairs University Forum.

5. Communication and international cooperation

A considerable number of international students from Eastern European countries received training at CFAU in the 1950s; many of them have now held senior diplomatic posts in their respective countries, or have become experts in international studies. Since the 1980s China Foreign Affairs University resumed its enrollment of international students. In the year of 2014, over 2000 full-time Chinese students and over 170 international students from more than 50 countries have been enrolled at China Foreign Affairs University. 

 

 

The final information is subject to the University If there is any discrepancy!