EdUHK and China Foreign Affairs University Jointly Establish Institute for International Relations
On 10 March 2025, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at CFAU’s campus in Beijing, to jointly establish the Institute for International Relations of The Education University of Hong Kong. The collaboration aims to strengthen their partnership in the areas of international relations, Chinese foreign affairs education and interactive practice.
Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, and Professor Wang Fan, President of CFAU, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective universities. Dr David Wong Yau-kar, Chairman of the EdUHK Council, and Ambassador Mr Wang Shiting, Party Committee Secretary of CFAU, witnessed this significant moment.
Under the framework of the MoU, CFAU will assist and support EdUHK in developing international relations and Chinese foreign affairs education in Hong Kong, with the goal of establishing the Institute for International Relations. CFAU will provide policy guidance, teaching resources, and related support. Under CFAU's guidance, the Institute will serve as an academic and research hub in the fields of international relations and Chinese foreign affairs. It will conduct academic activities, such as research on the Belt and Road Initiative and explore the development of master’s and other certificate programmes. The two universities will engage in deep collaboration in areas such as curriculum development, compilation of instructional materials, academic research, international forums and student-teacher exchange activities.
Dr Wong said at the ceremony that EdUHK was honoured to collaborate with CFAU to jointly establish the Institute for International Relations. He noted that this initiative would inject new vitality into EdUHK’s academic development and contribute to the advancement of research in international relations and Chinese foreign affairs education in Hong Kong and across the nation.
Professor Lee explained that EdUHK was considering integrating knowledge of international relations and Chinese foreign affairs into its teaching and research to enhance students’ global perspectives and understanding of China’s foreign affairs. Through activities and events, EdUHK aims to increase public awareness of China’s foreign affairs achievements and promote understanding of these topics among students and young people in Hong Kong at all education levels.
Ambassador Mr Wang Shiting, Party Committee Secretary of CFAU, remarked during the ceremony that his visit to EdUHK in October last year deepened his understanding of the University. He expressed enthusiasm for the formal signing of the agreement, which marks a strong partnership between the two institutions. He also expressed hope that through collaboration with EdUHK, Chinese foreign affairs courses with distinctive Chinese characteristics could be introduced to Hong Kong SAR’s universities and youth, contributing to fostering community support and patriotic spirit.
Professor Wang Fan expressed his delight at the collaboration between the two universities. He highlighted CFAU’s strong academic focus on international relations, foreign affairs, international law and international economics, which presents opportunities for collaboration in cultivating interdisciplinary talent. CFAU has already developed a series of textbooks related to international relations and Chinese foreign affairs, including lecture notes on Xi Jinping thought on diplomacy in the new era, which can be shared with EdUHK.
CFAU will recommend its faculty and experts to support the teaching of international relations and Chinese foreign affairs courses at EdUHK, to enhance the academic standards of the Institute. At the end of this month, CFAU will invite two senior ambassadors to EdUHK to deliver lectures on Chinese foreign affairs.
Other EdUHK attendees at the MoU signing ceremony included Dr Tom Fong Wing-ho, Vice President (Administration) and Secretary to the Council, Ms Helen Gai Huixia, Associate Vice President (Mainland Engagement and Development) and Director of Communications and Engagement, Mr Edmond Kuo Hoi, Director of Finance, Ms Betty To Ka-yue, Project Manager of the Office of the Vice President (Administration); along with representatives from CFAU, including Ms Ma Xinyu, Director of Foreign Affairs Office, Mr Kan Sijin, Director of the President’s Office, Ms Wang Yumeng, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office; and Ms Chen Lingling, Deputy Section Chief of the Exchange Division of the Foreign Affairs Office.
Before the signing ceremony, the EdUHK delegation visited CFAU’s Faculty Development Center, Diplomatic Translation Virtual Simulation Laboratory, and the auditorium, and watched a promotional video about CFAU, to gain a deeper understanding of CFAU’s educational features and talent cultivation achievements.
Known as the “Cradle of Chinese diplomats”, CFAU is directly affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which jointly established the university with the Ministry of Education. This liberal arts university specialising in foreign languages, cultivates interdisciplinary talent for foreign affairs. CFAU was founded in September 1955 on the proposal of Premier Zhou Enlai, with Foreign Minister Chen Yi serving as its long-time president. Over its 70-year history, CFAU has trained more than 20,000 graduates, including over 600 ambassadors, making a significant contribution to China’s diplomatic endeavours.
Disclaimer:
The Chinese version shall prevail in case of any discrepancies.
(如有歧異，應以中文版為準。 )
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