Beijing Foreign Studies University     Established in 1941, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) celebrated its 60 anniversary on September 22, 2001, is known as home and abroad as the "Cradle of Diplomats." The University is one of the key foreign studies universities of China, large numbers of foreign languages taught, and many international links. It also serves as a national base for research in foreign language teaching and international studies. The University provides a wide range of education programs in foreign languages studies, including advanced training of professional translators and interpreters. In 1996, the University ecame a member of the state-sponsored 211 Programme, which comprises 100 major universities in China that will receive special support for development in the new century. There are now more than 60,000 graduates from the University, working in all parts of the world, active in fields such as foreign affairs, economics and trade, finance, media, education and academia. Among the graduates of the University are 230 Chinese ambassadors and over 400 counselors to foreign of the BFSU. Almost all the translators and simultaneous interpreters from China working for the United Nations are graduates of the University.