Advisors would include Margaret Pearson, Dennis Pirages, Vladimir Tismaneanu, and Ernest Wilson. The thesis concentrates upon psychological and cultural factors to analyze the changes of Chinese foreign policy on human rights after Deng's reform. Advisors include Eric A. Hyer, Valerie M. Hudson, and Darren Hawkins. The Foreign Affairs College is affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China. Many of its advisors are from the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences.
Research covers a variety of topics on national security and economic cooperation.
It sponsors or hosts international symposiums, workshops, and exchanges in the academic circle. Each year it publishes an annual report on Chinese foreign relations. It has regular contact with the Ford Foundation and other American institutes.