In 1952, Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the establishment of a foreign affairs college.

In October 1953, the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) deliberated and approved plans to establish China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU). Following the Geneva Conference in 1954, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made the decision to “strengthen diplomatic work and international engagement, while vigorously training cadres and establishing a foreign affairs college.” On September 1, 1954, MFA’s Party Leadership Group submitted the “Recommendations Following Discussions on the Preparation to Establish a Foreign Affairs College” to Premier Zhou Enlai, who personally reported it to the CPC Central Committee. With approval from both the Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao Zedong, it was officially decided to establish China Foreign Affairs University on the foundation of the Diplomacy Department of Renmin University of China.

China Foreign Affairs University held its founding ceremony on September 10, 1955, at the Zhongzhi Jiguan Auditorium, a principal venue for ‌central Party and state agencies‌, in Xiyuan, Beijing. Students began classes two days later on September 12. Premier Zhou personally inscribed the university’s name.

In March 1956, the university relocated to its new campus on Zhanlanguan Road outside Fuchengmen, Xicheng District, Beijing.

On July 21, 1957, Premier Zhou Enlai visited China Foreign Affairs University to attend the graduation ceremony for the Class of 1957. In his speech, Zhou explained New China’s diplomatic principles and encouraged young students to dedicate themselves to diplomatic service.

In January, 1958, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a proposal to Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice Premier Chen Yi, to expand the university’s cadre training program and recommended renaming it “the College of International Relations.” After receiving Party Central Committee approval, the institution officially adopted its new name on August 1, 1958.

On October 22, 1960, the College of International Relations was designated by the Ministry of Education as one of the nation’s key institutions of higher education.

On October 5, 1961, during the 113th Session of the State Council, it was approved to restore the institution’s original name as China Foreign Affairs University. Vice Premier Chen Yi was appointed as its president and Comrade Chen Xinren as vice president, positions they held until the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) forced the university to close. During his presidency, Chen Yi rectified and countered “Leftist” influences prevalent in society, established international relations courses tailored to China’s national conditions, and developed core disciplinary textbooks, laying the foundation for the university’s future development.

On October 26, 1977, 35 former staff members of the university jointly submitted a petition to Deng Xiaoping, who had recently resumed his duties, requesting the university’s restoration. Deng personally reviewed their letter on November 4 and issued directives in response.

In 1978, State Council Document No. 166 mandated the restoration of China Foreign Affairs University. MFA established the university’s Party Committee and preparatory group in 1979, with Comrade Li Enqiu as Party Secretary and group leader. The college reopened in 1980.

However, as China’s national strength grew and the demand for diplomatic talent increased, the campus on Zhanlanguan Road in Beijing’s Xicheng District became inadequate for the university’s expanding needs. In May 2002, MFA’s Party Committee approved plans to expand the university and develop a new campus. That same year, CFAU signed an agreement to join the Changping Higher Education Park. The National Development and Reform Commission formally approved the construction project in March 2005.

China Foreign Affairs university held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus teaching facilities in 2006. Construction on the campus expansion began in September 2007. Two years later, in 2009, the university celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the west section of the first phase.

In September 2012, the university opened its newly completed campus. The facility boasts spacious and well-lit classrooms, modern amenities, and a visually appealing environment. These features reflect the university’s distinctive educational philosophy of openness, inclusiveness, rational thinking, and humanistic care.

In September 2012, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new campus, then Premier Wen Jiabao visited the new campus. He unveiled a bronze statue of Premier Zhou Enlai and Marshal Chen Yi standing side by side. Premier Wen directed the university to “develop first-class faculty, disciplines, and concepts to cultivate top talents for the country’s diplomatic service,” and personally inscribed the phrase “Cradle of Chinese Diplomats” for the university.

On January 3, 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education signed an agreement for the joint development of China Foreign Affairs University.

In March 2016, the China Diplomatic Academy was inaugurated, with China Foreign Affairs University now carrying this additional name.

On September 21, 2017, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the “Notice on Announcing the List of Universities and Disciplines Selected for the World-Class University and World-Class Discipline Initiative.” China Foreign Affairs University was included among the first 95 national institutions selected for world-class discipline development. This recognition represents a glorious mission entrusted to CFAU by the Party and the state, opening new opportunities for growth. The university has committed to active innovation, striving to become “an incubator for China’s diplomatic talent, a vanguard for diplomatic theory research and innovation, and a new force for international exchanges and cooperation in the new era” —ultimately providing exceptional talent for the country’s diplomatic service.

On January 2, 2025, the Research Center for a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind was officially established at China Foreign Affairs University with approval from the CPC Central Committee. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Affairs, unveiled the center’s plaque and delivered remarks. The center’s mission is to deepen research and international communication on the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, pool high-caliber expertise, produce landmark achievements, and develop internationally influential knowledge systems, academic frameworks, and discourse paradigms.