Established on December 15, 1949, the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs exercises the functions to conduct exchanges with and connect foreign political activists, celebrities, as well as institutions and scholars studying international affairs. It also organizes and participates in various kinds of bilateral and multilateral academic activities to study, deliberate and exchange views on international affairs, in efforts to promote the mutual understanding and cooperation between Chinese and people of foreign countries. Its current president is Lu Qiutian.