International Economics and Trade Program (Undergraduate) – School of International Economics, CFAU (2025 Edition)

1. Program (Name and code): International Economics and Trade (020401)

2. Duration: 4 years

3. Degree: Bachelor of Economics

4. Program Features

As the only university directly under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) has its professional positioning closely aligned with and serving the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, the university focuses on cultivating foreign-related talents urgently needed by the country. It emphasizes integrating theoretical learning with practical application, balancing professional knowledge with foreign language proficiency, and deeply integrating political literacy, patriotism, and international vision. With the core being the innovation of China’s independent educational philosophy for diplomatic and foreign affairs talent cultivation, CFAU aims to build a training system for high-quality, compound diplomatic and foreign affairs talents featuring distinctive diplomatic characteristics and outstanding foreign language advantages.

This major is established to cultivate high-quality, compound economic diplomacy professionals for foreign-related departments at all levels of government, public institutions, various industrial and commercial enterprises, financial institutions, etc. These professionals are expected to possess rich theories and knowledge of international economy and trade, global vision, outstanding English proficiency, and strong communication skills. The major not only emphasizes the teaching of courses in English, economics, international economy and trade theory, and analytical tools but also prioritizes practical teaching, striving to develop students’ theoretical literacy, practical work ability, and capacity for external communication.

5. Objectives

The university nurtures students with the soul-casting education of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. With the overarching goal of talent cultivation—"loving the motherland, understanding the world; mastering professions, excelling in foreign languages; being high-caliber and interdisciplinary"—it is committed to fostering high-quality, interdisciplinary diplomatic and foreign affairs talents with Chinese characteristics for the new era. These talents should possess high political consciousness, solid professional knowledge, outstanding foreign language proficiency, and excellent comprehensive qualities.

The college focuses on cultivating students' high political acumen, deepening their practical training in fields related to diplomacy and foreign affairs, developing their broad international vision and excellent cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthening their innovative thinking and decision-making abilities to navigate complex international situations. Ultimately, it aims to produce outstanding diplomatic and foreign affairs talents who can proficiently apply diplomatic skills, possess strategic vision, and have the capacity to effectively conduct international cooperation and exchanges.

This major cultivates high-quality, interdisciplinary economic diplomacy talents with a firm political stance and a strong sense of social responsibility. Graduates will systematically master the principles of Marxist economics, Western economics, and international economic theories; acquire knowledge and skills in international trade and finance; demonstrate innovative awareness and capabilities; possess strong external communication skills; use English as a working language; and be proficient in applying digital tools. They will be competent in practical operations, management, and research work in foreign-related departments of government agencies, as well as in foreign trade and financial institutions.

Graduates should have excellent comprehensive qualities, equipped with five fundamental skills (political fundamentals, professional fundamentals, language fundamentals, communication fundamentals, and information technology fundamentals) and seven key competencies (research capability, case-handling capability, protocol capability, negotiation capability, collaboration capability, innovation capability, and economic situation analysis and judgment capability). They will be qualified for management, research, and practical work in the field of international economy and trade, comprehensively serving the cause of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

6. Requirements

(1) Ideological‑Political Qualification Requirements

¨ Love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), deeply study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and firmly establish the "Four Consciousnesses", strengthen the "Four Confidences", and implement the "Two Upholds".

¨ Abide by laws and regulations, unite and cooperate, and possess excellent qualities such as good moral cultivation, sound physical and mental qualities, a strong sense of professionalism, a strong sense of social responsibility, and an appropriate sense of competition.

¨ Have a deep understanding of the core essence and strategic direction of China's foreign policy, possess sharp political insight, be able to accurately grasp political situations in the complex international environment, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

(2) Professional Qualification Requirements

Students of this major primarily study Marxist Economics, Western Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, International Economics, and International Trade Theory and Practice. They receive sound training in economic thinking and possess basic abilities in theoretical analysis, practical application, and hands-on operations.

Students of this major should participate in practical teaching activities and public welfare labor prescribed by the college.

Graduates should acquire the following knowledge and abilities:

¨ Master the basic theories and methods of Marxist Economics;

¨ Master the theories and methods of Western Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and International Economics;

¨ Be able to use econometric, statistical, and other mathematical analysis tools to analyze and study real-world economic issues;

¨ Understand the economic development status and economic policies of major countries and regions;

¨ Master the basic business knowledge and practical operations of international trade and international finance, and cultivate business ethics;

¨ Understand China’s economic development, policies, and regulations;

¨ Possess a high level of proficiency in English listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation, and be able to use English as a working language to engage in foreign-related economic work;

¨ Be proficient in using computer software such as Phyton, STATA, SPSS, Eviews, and Office.

(3) Physical Education Qualification Requirements

¨ Understand basic sports knowledge and master fundamental methods and skills for physical exercise.

¨ Be proficient in one to two sports, meeting the “qualified” or higher standard for university students’ physical health.

¨ Possess scientific exercise awareness, develop good living habits and regular exercise routines, and adapt to academic and life challenges with a strong physique and resilient will.

¨ Continuously maintain a healthy lifestyle.

(4) Aesthetic Education (Art) Qualification Requirements

¨ Establish a correct aesthetic outlook and comprehend the aesthetic connotations of multiculturalism.

¨ Possess the ability to perceive the beauty of natural landscapes, social life, and artistic works, with rich capacity to feel, understand, and express natural, social, and artistic beauty.

¨ Actively participate in aesthetic‑education activities, enhancing aesthetic judgment and innovative thinking.

¨ Use beauty to inspire intelligence and to nurture the heart, thereby shaping a sound personality and refined sentiment.

（5）Labor Qualification Requirements

¨ Foster a correct view of the value of work, develop both a sense of labor and the ability to work.

¨ Understand that labor creates wealth and value, and cultivate work habits through practical experience.

¨ Possess a spirit of perseverance and willingness to endure hardship, nurture teamwork and problem‑solving abilities, and respect the results of labor.

¨ Form an admirable work ethic that values labor, is diligent, and embraces a solid, conscientious approach to tasks.

7. Major Discipline: Economics

8. Main Courses

Economic Mathematics (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics), Political Economy, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Public Finance, Finance, International Economics, World Economy, International Trade, International Finance, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and Economic Diplomacy, International Trade Practice, International Business Negotiation, Marketing, E-commerce, Accounting, Statistics, etc.

9. Teaching Plan

In the lower grades, emphasis is placed on strengthening essential means and tools necessary for the discipline of economics, such as English and advanced mathematics, while simultaneously solidifying professional foundational courses including macroeconomic and microeconomic theories, as well as Accounting, Statistics, Public Finance, Finance, and International Economics.

In the upper grades, the focus shifts to strengthening curriculum-based ideological and political content, such as Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, as well as application training of theories related to the major of International Economics and Trade and specific application of research tools.

Additionally, through the implementation of "Englishization of Professional Teaching," a solid foundation is laid for students' future employment or further studies, and students are actively encouraged to participate in internships.

10. Credit Structure

Course Category		Credits	Credits that include practice teaching	Remarks / Sub‑total
General Education	Ideological & Political Theory	18	2	87
	General Foundations	18	7
	General Core	43
	General Electives	8
Professional Education	Professional Foundations	28		70
	Professional Core	10
	Professional Practice / Training	18	18
	Professional Electives	14	8
Practice Teaching	Social Practice / Social Survey / Practice Activities (Innovation & Entrepreneurship)	1	1	9
	Military Training	2	2
	Professional Internship	2	2
	Graduation Thesis	4	4
Overall Total Credits			44	166

11. Assessment

Student academic assessment is carried out strictly in accordance with the relevant regulations, namely the Regulations on the Management of Undergraduate Students of CFAU, the Detailed Rules for Undergraduate Course Assessment of CFAU, and the Practical Teaching Outline of CFAU.

12. Employment Directions

Graduates may pursue careers in the following areas:

¨ Economic diplomacy and foreign affairs departments of national government agencies at all levels;

¨ Foreign‑related business divisions of economic and financial institutions;

¨ Financial reporting and editing units of news media;

¨ International economic and financial organizations;

¨ Financial business divisions of large corporations;

¨ Various consulting and management firms.