On Monday, the China Daily USA reported that Johns Hopkins University and Nanjing University in China celebrated the anniversary of their 25-year partnership in Washington.

In recognition of the anniversary, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a letter to the Johns Hopkins University – Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies that emphasized the importance of American ties with China.

"By bringing young American and Chinese students to live and study together, the center has helped build a generation of leaders on both sides of the Pacific, with deep understanding of each other's history and culture … This connection was important 25 years ago, and it's even more critical now."

Clinton’s letter also emphasized the fact that the program put a human face on the connection.

It is the kind of connection from which American communities at other colleges have benefitted – a connection like the one established by international students at Purdue University who took time from their vacation to assist in tornado cleanup projects.

Founded in 1986, the Johns Hopkins University – Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies is Johns Hopkins’ international campus of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. At its founding, Johns Hopkins was the first American university in China.

The partnership now offers three degrees: “a one-year certificate, a two-year master’s … (degree) in international studies and a five-semester degree option in Nanjing and Washington.”

Source: US, China honor joint education program, China Daily USA