The language ambassadors

As the first foreign language university founded by the Communist Party of China, Wang says, the school has served the country's development strategy in a proactive manner since its founding eight decades ago. He says it is following the school anthem, "Wherever the people need us, we will go", in letter and spirit.

The university has implemented an effective strategy to improve China's communication in major and minor languages. Courses cover 101 foreign languages, and the school has consolidated its position as a leader in the teaching of minor languages.

Under a project chaired by Wang, university researchers recently finished editing and publishing 20 books on education and culture in the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The books are more than a window to these nations. They act as reference materials for China's education reforms and development policies.

The books will be gifted to the 20th National Congress of the CPC next month.

Established in 1941, when the Chinese were fighting against Japanese invaders, BFSU was originally called the Russian Language Team in the Third Branch of the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political College. It was renamed Beijing Foreign Languages Institute in 1954 and took its current name in 1994.