Ethiopian president educated in Beijing 

Mulatu Teshome's election as Ethiopia's new president on October 7 has created a sensation at two prestigious Beijing-based universities which were the cradle of the outstanding statesman.

In 1976, Teshome came to China for the first time. As a government-funded student, he studied at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) for one year and then moved on to Peking University, where he successively obtained his BA, MA, and PhD degrees.

"He [Teshome) was more mature and diligent than his peers when studying at BLCU. He also showed great respect for all teachers." Zhao Yupin, an associate professor from BLCU, recalled.

Zhao taught Teshome essential Chinese language courses when the young man was there to learn Chinese in 1976. BLCU is a university specialized in teaching the Chinese language and culture to foreign students.

Zhao, who was deeply impressed by Teshome, added, "He was active and brave in expressing himself in class. He used to finish his homework on time and would ask me questions on whatever he didn't understand."

Teshome made rapid progress in learning Mandarin Chinese and soon got acquainted with his new environment. The cheerful student made a lot of Chinese friends. In his spare time, he would often stroll around the streets, have a beer and a chat with his Chinese classmates.

The student, who got familiar with Beijing's hutongs during this time, developed a strong interest in Chinese history and culture.

In 1977, Teshome went on to study at Peking University, where he stayed for 14 years -- until 1991. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Philosophy of Political Economy in 1982. From 1985 to 1991, he received his master's and doctor's degrees in International Law under the supervision of Zhao Baoxu, a well-established Chinese political scientist.