The School of International Economics（SIE） traces its origins to the Teaching and Research section Department of World Economy at the China Foreign Affairs University established in 1956. Responding to the era's demands for economic globalization, economic diplomacy, and the vigorous development of global economic governance, the Department of International Economics was established in 1998 to enroll undergraduate students in International Economy and Trade. In September 2007, it was restructured into a school, becoming the first secondary school at the China Foreign Affairs University. Bachelor of Finance program has been introduced since 2009.
SIESIE comprises the Department of International Economics and Trade, the Department of International Finance, the Department of Quantitative Economics, and the Department of Economics. It offers four-year undergraduate programs in International Economics and Trade and Finance. SIESIE holds the qualification to confer master's degrees in Theoretical Economics (first-level discipline) and professional master's degrees in Finance(MF). It admits master's students in Theoretical Economics (specializing in World Economy, Political Economy, and Western Economics) and professional master's students in Finance. Additionally, it collaborates with the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University to recruit and educate doctoral students specializing in International Economic Relations. In 2021, the International Economics and Trade program was selected as a National First-Class Undergraduate Program Construction Site. In 2022, the Master of Finance program joined the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program, becoming the 40th university partner of the CFA Institute in mainland China. SIE of International Economics and Trade distinguishes itself through its focus on global economic governance. It offers an “Experimental Class for Global Economic Governance Talent” for undergraduates and houses the Center for Economic Diplomacy Studies and the Center for International Finance Studies.
Strong Faculty
SIE currently employs 29 full-time faculty members, including 7professors and 10associate professors. Among them, 27 hold doctoral degrees, with 2 faculty members serving as Fulbright Senior Scholars in the United States and 2 receiving special government allowances from the State Council. One faculty member received the Beijing Higher Education Teaching Master Award, one was named Beijing Outstanding Teacher, one was honored with the Beijing Capital Labor Medal, three were recognized as Beijing Teacher Ethics Pioneers, and one team was designated as an Outstanding Undergraduate Education Team in Beijing Higher Education. Honorary professors include Dr. Lin Jianhai, former Secretary-General of the International Monetary Fund, and numerous senior industry experts serve as industry mentors.
Abundant Teaching and Research Achievements
SIE of International Economics specializes in global economic governance and economic diplomacy, establishing the Center for Economic Diplomacy Research and the Center for International Finance Research. In 2015, it spearheaded the establishment of the Economic Diplomacy Research Branch of the Chinese Association of International Relations, actively contributing to the advancement of China's economic diplomacy discipline.
Our “Introduction to the World Economy” course was recognized as a Beijing Municipal Model Course, while “Principles of Insurance (taught in English)” was honored as a Beijing Higher Education “High-Quality Undergraduate Course.” Course materials for “International Business Negotiation (taught in English)” and “Development Economics” were designated as Beijing Higher Education “High-Quality Undergraduate Course Materials.” The “Economic Diplomacy Teaching Team” was named a “Beijing Higher Education Outstanding Undergraduate Education Team,” and two faculty members were selected as Beijing Municipal Course-Thought Integration Teaching Masters and Teams.
Leveraging the strengths of the China Foreign Affairs University, SIE of International Economics serves national economic diplomacy strategies. We have led or participated in numerous national and provincial-level research projects, publishing collective works including Introduction to the World Economy, Annual Report on China's Economic Diplomacy, Is the China-US Economic Relationship Win-Win or Zero-Sum?, Introduction to Economic Diplomacy, Research on Economic Cooperation Mechanisms in the Belt and Road Initiative, and Case Studies in China's Economic Diplomacy, as well as the Journal of Global Economic Governance Research. SIE compiles the policy advisory internal publication Economic Diplomacy Bulletin to contribute insights for socioeconomic development.
Cultivating Multidisciplinary Talent
SIE of International Economics is committed to nurturing multidisciplinary professionals with expertise in “Economics (Finance) + English + Diplomacy + Digitalization.” Students integrate language proficiency with digital methodologies, building upon solid professional knowledge and skills while emphasizing political awareness and diplomatic capabilities. SIE invites experts, scholars, and distinguished alumni from both within and outside the university to guide student development. Our goal is to cultivate senior professionals in international economics, finance, and diplomatic affairs for international organizations, government foreign affairs departments, and enterprises. These professionals possess profound knowledge of international economic, trade, and financial theory; a global perspective and innovative mindset; outstanding English proficiency; and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
SIE maintains small-class teaching management, with intensive English reading, listening, and speaking classes limited to 20 students per section, while core professional courses are taught in refined classes of 40 students. A comprehensive mentor system provides academic, research, thesis, and personal development guidance, enabling meticulous cultivation of students. Leveraging the School's linguistic strengths, English instruction is sustained from enrollment through graduation, with SIE achieving a 100% pass rate on the National English Proficiency Test (Level 8) in recent years. Since 2011, SIE has pioneered English-medium instruction for specialized courses, with over twenty core subjects taught entirely in English. Students consistently excel in various English competitions and events conducted in English.
Program Highlights
The undergraduate program in International Economics and Trade aims to cultivate high-caliber, versatile economic diplomats who possess firm political convictions and a strong sense of social responsibility. Graduates will systematically master Marxist economic principles, Western economic theories, and international economic frameworks, while acquiring expertise in international trade and finance. They will demonstrate innovative thinking, robust communication skills in English as a working language, and the ability to excel in practical operations, management, and research within government foreign affairs departments, foreign trade institutions, and financial organizations.
The undergraduate program in Finance aims to cultivate: senior, versatile management talents with a foundation in Marxist theory, firm political stance, and strong social responsibility. Graduates will systematically grasp the fundamental principles of Marxist economics and Western economic theory, comprehensively master modern economic and financial knowledge, possess an international perspective and global awareness, and be proficient in applying foreign languages to engage in financial diplomacy and foreign affairs work within government departments, as well as foreign-related financial work in financial institutions.
The Master of Theoretical Economics program adheres to the educational principle of fostering all-round development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor. Strictly following the Ministry of Education's guidelines and fundamental requirements for graduate education, it emphasizes the specialized characteristics of the China Foreign Affairs University. The program fully considers society's specific demand for high-level, versatile, and application-oriented talents, cultivating high-caliber, specialized economic professionals for government diplomatic and foreign affairs departments, foreign-related enterprises and institutions, as well as research and teaching organizations.
The Master of Finance program strictly follows the professional degree program's objectives and fundamental requirements. Leveraging the University's strengths in English language education and internationalization, it cultivates professionals for financial institutions and regulatory bodies who possess sound political awareness and ethical standards, a thorough understanding of financial theory and practice, systematically master investment and financing management skills, financial transaction techniques and operations, financial product design and pricing, financial analysis, financial risk management, and related knowledge and skills. They possess a global perspective and meet the requirements of China's participation in financial globalization.
