To thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, deepen the ministry-university collaborative education mechanism, advance the 'Diplomatic Iron Army: Passing the Torch' program in depth and substance, and guide young students to firm up their ideals and convictions and cultivate devotion to family and country through hands-on practice, on June 17, led by President Gao Fei and Vice President Shi Yi, teacher and student representatives of the Department of Foreign Languages visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for discussions with leaders of the Department of European Affairs. Li Jian, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Zheng Huiyu, Deputy Director-General, and other officials of the Department attended the discussion.

President Gao Fei first expressed sincere gratitude to the Department of European Affairs for its long-standing care and support for the University's education work. He said the University attaches great importance to deepening cooperation with the Department, jointly implementing the education measures of the 'Diplomatic Iron Army: Passing the Torch' program and building a practical education platform through ministry-university coordination, and he placed high expectations on regularized coordinated development between the two sides.

On behalf of the University's Party Committee, President Gao Fei also presented Director-General Li Jian with a letter of appointment as an (external) mentor for Party building and ideological-political work.

Wang Pengfei, Director of the French Teaching and Research Section, introduced the educational situation and cultivation features of the University's French major. Student representatives Wang Jinghan (French major, Class of 2023) and Su Siyu (French major, Class of 2024) spoke, expressing the aspiration of young students to serve the country through diplomacy and their determination to devote themselves to the diplomatic cause.

In closing, Director-General Li Jian delivered concluding remarks, fully affirming the young students' lofty ambition of keeping family and country in heart and diplomacy in mind, and encouraging them to strengthen their sense of mission, forge ahead on the broad stage of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and let their youth shine. He looked forward to further strengthened coordination and cooperation between the Department of European Affairs and the CFAU Department of Foreign Languages, building a regularized exchange mechanism and creating more quality platforms and practical opportunities for teachers and students to experience frontline diplomatic work up close and participate in foreign affairs research.

After the meeting, the teacher and student representatives went to the Blue Hall to observe a regular press conference, experiencing the frontline work of press briefing first-hand, and exchanged views with Lin Jian, MFA Spokesperson and Deputy Director-General of the Information Department, deeply appreciating the mission and tasks of international communication work in the new era and understanding the great significance of telling China's stories well, amplifying China's voice, and presenting a credible, lovable and respectable image of China.

This visit and exchange deeply educated and greatly inspired all participating teachers and students of the Department of Foreign Languages. Everyone said they would internalize the insights from this discussion and observation and turn them into lasting motivation for learning and progress, striving to become a 'reserve team of the diplomatic iron army' with strong political integrity and solid professional skills, consciously shouldering the mission of passing on the torch of diplomacy and contributing the vigorous strength of youth to the cause of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.