The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) said on Friday it has reached a cooperative agreement with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, the first of its kind between the two regions.

Zhou Wenzhong, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, said in a letter to the board that the new accord "begins a new chapter in China-US education partnership and excellence."

"The exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, technology, business and culture are critical to the future of our two countries," the ambassador said.

Under the pact, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, starting from this year, will offer scholarships to nine students from the six New England states to study in universities and colleges in the Chinese capital every year.

Also on Friday, the NEBHE honored Dr. Li Jiansheng, also known as Jason Li in the US, with a "Special Award of Excellence" in recognition of his contributions to the international education partnership between the New England six states and China.

The award drew congratulations from Zhou.

"I am pleased that tonight you honor Dr. Jiansheng Li for his contribution and outstanding commitment to advancing partnership between China and the United States in higher education," the ambassador said. "Dr. Li deserves it."

Each year, the NEBHE honors the government, business and education leaders, who have made a special contribution to education.

The NEBHE represents 287 colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT, Dartmouth and Brown, across the six New England states. Its mission is to assist school leaders in the development of sound education practices and policies.

New England, located in the northeastern corner of the United States, consists of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2009)