BEIJING - The Seventh Intensive English Training Program held its closing ceremony at the Chinese Academy of Governance (CAG) on June 14.

The class, known as IETP, has been underway since 2001, in line with government policy to encourage the country's leaders to communicate directly with people overseas.

Twelve senior officials from around China have temporarily left their posts to undertake 15 weeks of study to improve their command of the English language.

Each student gave a speech on different topics at the ceremony. Li Jianhua, secretary of the CAG Communist Party of China Committee and the executive vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Governance (CAG), gave each student his certificate of completion.

The IETP is run by Beijing Foreign Studies University and the CAG. After the 15 weeks of study, the students will continue learning English through a one-year online education system with teachers from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Video: Yu Chenkang

Voiceover: Chris Clark

Producer: Flora Yue

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