On June 10, 2026, Sun Xiaobo, Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an alumnus, and his delegation came to the Shahe campus of China Foreign Affairs University upon invitation and delivered a special lecture on the theme of 'China's Arms Control Diplomacy in the New Era' to teachers and students. Before the event, President Gao Fei presented Director-General Sun Xiaobo with a letter of appointment as an (external) mentor for Party building and ideological-political work.

Before the lecture, Director-General Sun Xiaobo and his delegation, accompanied by President Gao Fei, Vice President Shi Yi and others, visited the campus, the university history exhibition and student activities, gaining an in-depth understanding of the University's development history and educational achievements.

Vice President Professor Shi Yi chaired the lecture. More than one hundred representatives of teachers and students from the Department of International Law, the School of National Security, the School of Marxism and the Institute of International Relations attended.

At the lecture, around the theme of 'China's Arms Control Diplomacy in the New Era,' Director-General Sun Xiaobo systematically elaborated on the theoretical foundations and practical pathways of China's arms control diplomacy from three dimensions: the historical evolution of China's arms control diplomacy, the current international security situation, and the main work of arms control diplomacy in the new era. Drawing on his rich diplomatic experience, he analyzed in depth the complex changes in the current international security situation and vividly described the important role of arms control diplomacy in the new era. Director-General Sun encouraged young students to firm up their ideals and convictions, hone strong capabilities, temper their character and will, bravely shoulder the mission of the times, and contribute the power of youth to the cause of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

In the interactive session, teachers and students asked questions enthusiastically on arms control negotiations, international security governance, the cultivation of diplomatic talent and other issues. Director-General Sun Xiaobo fully affirmed the students' deep thinking and, drawing on real work cases, gave careful answers one by one in a lively atmosphere.

Participating teachers said the lecture deepened their understanding of the position and value of arms control diplomacy in the country's overall diplomacy and security, and that they would further optimize the curriculum system and strengthen teaching and research in relevant fields. Students said that through Director-General Sun's wonderful lecture, they gained a deeper understanding of mission and responsibility, further firmed their determination to devote themselves to the motherland's diplomatic cause, and would strive to grow into successors of the diplomatic iron army who are politically firm, professionally excellent and strong in conduct, contributing the power of youth to advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and telling China's stories well.

Going forward, the University will further integrate resources, continuously deepen its education model, innovatively develop the 'Diplomatic Iron Army: Passing the Torch' Party building and ideological-political education brand, organically integrate the country's overall diplomatic situation and foreign-related rule-of-law practice into the whole process of talent cultivation, and guide young students to firm up their ideals and convictions, nurture devotion to family and country, temper diplomatic character and forge strong capabilities, so as to cultivate more high-quality successors of the diplomatic iron army for the cause of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.