Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) welcomed 3,267 new students at a grand matriculation ceremony held on its east campus on Sept 4.

BFSU holds a matriculation ceremony on Sept 4 to welcome its new students. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Yang Dan, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, addresses the matriculation ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Speaking at the ceremony, Yang Dan, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, extended a warm welcome and congratulations to newly enrolled students and urged them to carry forward the spirit of loving the nation, understand global values and recognize their shared responsibilities. 

He also encouraged them to master both Chinese culture and foreign languages, excel in their chosen fields and grow into versatile talents. 

Yang said he hopes that new students will safeguard global cultural diversity, promote mutual learning, advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and engage in global civilization exchanges. 

Joining BFSU is not just attending a university but also stepping onto a ladder to the world, where students will experience the interactions of languages and civilizations and broaden their horizons, Yang added. 

Ai Ping, a BFSU alumnus and advisor to the BFSU Alumni Association, gives a speech at the ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Ai Ping, a BFSU alumnus, former deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, executive vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Yan'an Spirit Research Society and advisor to the BFSU Alumni Association, shared his memories of studying at BFSU. 

Ai called on the incoming students to grasp the objective laws of language learning and to broaden their international horizons while nurturing a strong sense of patriotism, as well as to pursue holistic development and lead a fulfilling life.

Li Xuetao, dean of the BFSU School of History and head of the university’s Institute for Global History, speaks as a teacher representative. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Li Xuetao, dean of the BFSU School of History and head of the university’s Institute for Global History, spoke as a teacher representative. Li shared his insight into the differences between university and primary education and encouraged the freshmen to embrace independent thinking and cross-cultural understanding.

Three student representatives speak at the ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Student representatives, including undergraduate student Shi Lili at the School of Arabic Studies, postgraduate student Zhang Ziyan at the School of Asian Studies, and international student representative Ngugi Sharon Wanjiku at the School of Chinese Language and Literature, also delivered speeches, expressing their hopes and aspirations for the future. 

Wang Dinghua (C), secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, pins the university badge on the uniform of a student representative. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]  

Wang Dinghua (L3), secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, poses for a group photo with student representatives after presenting them with student ID cards. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

New students take an oath of admission. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The ceremony was broadcast live on multiple video platforms, which allowed the parents to witness the event and interact with teachers and students remotely.