Kevin Rudd cheered at Harvard University

Kevin Rudd wasn't so popular at the last federal election, but he is earning plenty of applause in his new job at Harvard University.

The former Australian prime minister drew laughs and cheers as he addressed the sold-out Harvard China Forum at the elite Massachusetts university on the weekend.

With a largely Chinese audience, Mr Rudd impressed the crowd by delivering most of his remarks in Chinese.

"For our English speaking audience it is very simple," Mr Rudd told the crowd.

"There is only one thing to fear.

"There is nothing on heaven to fear.

"There is nothing on earth to fear.

"The only thing there is to fear is Kevin Rudd speaking Chinese."

Harvard announced in February it had named Mr Rudd as a senior fellow with the university's John F Kennedy School of Government.

The former prime minister pointed to the growing presence of Chinese students on the Harvard campus.

"It is my understanding there are 800 students from China here at Harvard University and the number is rising," he said.

"The contribution that they are making to this university is very important and on top of that, important contribution they will make to the future of US-China relations."