Representatives from the Global Times and China Foreign Affairs University sign a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Beijing on May 16, 2025. Photo: Global Times

The Global Times and China Foreign Affairs University signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Beijing on Friday. The agreement was signed by Fan Zhengwei, Party Secretary, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, and Wang Fan, President of China Foreign Affairs University, on behalf of both sides.

The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee called for "building a more effective international communication system." The strategic cooperation between the Global Times and China Foreign Affairs University is an important step in jointly studying, promoting, and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the guiding principles of the plenary session.

To better serve the major strategic needs of the Party and the country, both sides —guided by a shared sense of mission — will draw on their respective strengths and promote the deep integration of "academia plus media." Together, they aim to enhance the systematic articulation and international expression of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, tell China's story well and amplify China's voice on the global stage.

Fan said the partnership draws strength from the university's academic foundation, global vision, and talent resources, combined with the Global Times' media platform, international influence and communication reach. 

He expressed three expectations for the collaboration: to jointly strengthen China's global discourse power, co-develop a high-end think tank and cultivate interdisciplinary talent. He added that through future multidimensional cooperation, both sides can work together to share the image of major-country diplomacy, the voice of China, and the wisdom of the East with the world.

Wang noted that in the face of profound global changes in a century, how China tells its stories, delivers its voice and gains international recognition has become a key issue tied to the country's image and strategic interests. 

Wang said that the agreement represents not only a powerful alliance between the two institutions but also an important step toward integrated development in international communication. With joint efforts, he believes the cooperation will become a model of "academic leadership empowered by media," and inject fresh momentum into strengthening China's international discourse.

According to the agreement, the two sides will empower each other by leveraging the Global Times' strengths in media communication and China Foreign Affairs University's expertise in academic research. 

Both sides will carry out strategic cooperation in areas such as joint content creation, transformation of academic research into communication outcomes, talent development and international cultural exchange, with the shared goal of promoting a more effective international communication system.

Global Times