The Department of International Studies at XJTLU is located within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). It was established in April 2018 under the leadership of its inaugural head, Professor Adam Cross. By September 2020, the department has expanded to 10 faculty, providing one undergraduate and two graduate programmes.

Outlined below are the aims of the Department of International Studies:

• Develop and deliver the most attractive degrees in International Relations taught in the English language within China for Chinese and international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Offer a portfolio of programmes that will be attractive to both Chinese and international students, including the current programme offerings and an expansion of its PhD programme over the next five years
• Develop a centre of research excellence in International Studies that is recognised within China and abroad for its focus on China’s relations with the rest of the world (including China’s Belt and Road Initiative – BRI) and social and economic interactions between the Jiangnan region of China (south of the Yangtze River Delta) and the rest of the world
• Proactively engage with and advise the wider academic, business and policy-making communities on interactions between SIP, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, the Jiangnan region, China, and the international community.