Beijing Foreign Studies University started programs in less commonly taught languages in the spring semester to cater for the country's Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives.

The university's School of Asian and African Studies introduced courses in Mongolian, Tamil, Bengalese and Pilipino.

"The programs at BFSU will provide quality professionals who cannot only speak the languages but also understand the cultures, accelerating in-depth communication between China and these countries," said Jia Wenjian, the university's vice-president.