BJTU is also one of the first universities authorized by the Chinese government to accept foreign students. BJTU enrolled over 3,000 foreign students and visiting scholars from as many as 71 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. BJTU has agreements with universities in the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, Australia. Former U.S. President Barack Obama visited JiaoDa during a state visit to Beijing.
