China and the United States launched a new fellowship initiative on Wednesday to help mid-career US professionals study in China.

The initiative, known as the Zhi-Xing China-Perfect World US-China Young Leaders Fellowships, aims to sponsor 15 to 20 US professionals who are interested in Chinese culture and China-related work to visit and study in China every year through 2024.

During their stay in China, fellows are expected to gain a deeper understanding of China and US-China bilateral relations through meetings, visits and cultural activities.

The initiative is one of the latest additions to the programs under the US-China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange, or CPE, which aims to strengthen ties between Chinese and US citizens in areas including education, culture and science.

"Under the CPE framework, nearly 200 robust outcomes and deliverables have been implemented over the past five years," said Chinese Vice-Minister of Education Hao Ping, who is also the CPE China Coordinator.

One of the best ways to invest in the next generation of leaders is to develop language and cultural skills through study abroad, said Carola McGiffert, president of the 100,000 Strong Foundation, one of the partners of the initiative.

She added that the US could do more to make sure that young US citizens have the cultural understanding and China skills to compete, collaborate and succeed in a world where China plays a huge and growing role.

Perfect World, a leading Chinese online game developer and operator, has pledged to support the fellowship through the next decade.

Given the importance of bilateral ties, the public and private sectors of both countries, and the cultural industry in particular, should show greater support for US-China people-to-people exchanges, said Robert Xiao, Perfect World's CEO.

"I believe such efforts will foster fresh ideas, deeper understanding, and new ways of cooperation between us," said Xiao, adding that the new initiative is an important extension of exchanges between the younger generations in the US and China.

The initiative is implemented by the China Education Association for International Exchange, in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Humpty Dumpty Institute, 100K Strong Foundation and Perfect World.

Xinhua

(China Daily 12/19/2014 page4)