The first International Carnival of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) was held at the Cultural Square at noon on May 12, 2018. The event entitled “May, a season of flowers and the time for home and international students to shine”, is designed to guide students to improve themselves on this international communication platform, promote BFSU’s international and characteristic schooling, and cultivate international interdisciplinary talent with a global perspective.

Mr. Yan Guohua, Vice President of BFSU, Ms. Cai Mengling, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Poland in China, and Mr. Artem Rozhdestvenskyi, First Secretary of Economic Affairs Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in China, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. More than 1,000 Chinese and foreign university students from 107 countries and regions attended this international cultural event.

Mr. Yan Guohua stated that, BFSU actively upholds the “going out” strategy of Chinese cultural and the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, BFSU offers 98 foreign language programs, and ranks among the top universities in the world for the quantity and variety in language programs, with its teaching of some languages leading the world. By 2020, there will be more than 100 language programs available, with the official teaching of languages and regional studies fully covering countries with diplomatic relations with China. BFSU is tasked with the promotion of Chinese culture all along. It has signed inter-university exchange agreements with more than 400 universities in 87 countries and has hosted 23 Confucius Institutes overseas. BFSU stays committed to promoting international cultural exchanges and cooperation and fostering international talent with a global perspective. It is hoped that this year’s Cultural Carnival becomes a communication platform and a bridge of friendship for Chinese and foreign teachers and students.

Ms. Cai Mengling spoke highly of BFSU for its quality schooling. She said that BFSU has cultivated many outstanding students from all over the world, who have made outstanding contributions to international economic and cultural communication. In an era of global economic integration, more international excellent talent is needed.

Mr. Artem Rozhdestvenskyi highly praised BFSU for its Ukrainian program. He hoped that the International Carnival could help students from different countries better understand cultures of other countries and contribute to the friendly cooperation and common development of all countries.

In recent years, multinational cultural festivals and international food festivals––e.g. Cool-Sale Bazaar, and SICA Night – International Students’ New Year Gala are brilliant cultural brands on campus. This year’s carnival integrates these activities as a new carrier for Chinese and foreign students to communicate and sets up a diversified platform for the cultivation of international multidisciplinary talent.