Peking University, July 20, 2014: Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome paid a summer visit to Peking University, where he spent the whole college career of more than ten years.

“As an alumnus, I have always been proud of Peking University,” said Mulatu in his speech, “it is a great honor for me to be regarded by Peking University as her pride and joy as well.”

Together with his family, Mulatu was welcomed by Zhu Shanlu, chairman of Peking University Council. Among the hundreds of visiting foreign heads ahead of Mulatu, according to Zhu, no one has such a historical and emotional contact with the University.

Zhu Shanlu (R) welcomes Mulatu, his wife and son.

Different from most of the Ethiopian youths sent to China for engineering skills, Mulatu Teshome chose the University’s Department of Philosophy in 1978. Then in 1984, he returned to further his study in the realm of international politics “with the help and support of the then Ethiopian Government.”

With a doctoral degree from Peking University in 1991, the promising star began to take off from Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He once served as ambassador to Japan, Australia, and China. Later, he performed well as a political leader dealing with domestic affairs, first as Minister of Agriculture, and then in the House of Federation. Noticeably, Mulatu was highly praised for his contribution to Sino-Ethiopia relationship all along.

Mulatu’s political life reached its peak on October 9, 2013 when he was elected by the parliament as president of the ancient civilization in East Africa.

It was the third time that Mulatu had visited his alma mater since his graduation — the first in 2005 and the second in 2010.

During the bilateral conversation, Professor Zhu Shanlu expected more Ethiopian students to study at Peking University. Mulatu hoped that his son would join that trend.

Mulatu meets his teachers and classmates at Peking University.