The Central Academy of Drama was the first theatre higher educational institution of the People’s Republic of China. Now it is affiliated to China’s Ministry of Education and is ranked as one of the best top-level drama and stage arts institutions in China. The Central Academy of Drama is the headquarters of China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes and Asia Theatre Education Centre (ATEC). It also acts as a base for the Global Alliance of Theatre Schools (GATS) International Theatre Festival. It is a world famous higher educational institution of arts, and the UNESCO CHAIR ON THEATRE EDUCATION is now located here. The history of the Central Academy of Drama dates back to more than 70 years, to April 10th, 1938, when Yan An Lu Xun Art College was established. The Central Academy of Drama opened officially in December, 1949 and held the inaugural conference on 2nd of April, 1950. Chairman Mao Zedong inscribed the official name in calligraphy.