国内英语新闻:U.S. Congress recognizes Nanjing City as "Model for International Cooperation"

NEW YORK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to recognise Nanjing City of China as a "Model for International Cooperation" in order to award the city's active involvement in cooperation with the United States in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and this was the first Chinese city to win such an award, Li Jiansheng, executive chairman of the U.S.-China Partnership Committee, told Xinhua on Thursday.

The House passed the bill, tabled by Representative John Tierney of Massachusetts, on Tuesday night, Li said, adding that this will pave the way for further cooperation between China and the United States in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, which are very conducive to build a stronger China in the future.

"I rise today to speak about a model for international cooperation that is said to hold promise and future opportunities for the United States," Tierney said when he was taking the floor at the House. "The City of Nanjing is working to improve the quality of life of its residents with a global initiative that has potential to create a great opportunity for some in the United States."

For over a decade, Nanjing "has reached beyond the borders of the People's Republic of China to create new strategies in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, increasing the level of understanding between our two nations and stimulating U.S.- China idea exchange," he said.

"It is expected that this international cooperative initiative will inure to the benefit of the residents of Nanjing as well to the residents of the United States, including businesses, residents and educational institutions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," he said.

Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province in East China, has forged close ties of cooperation and partnership with Boston and Massachusetts in 2008. The city government has hammered out a series of programs to lure top talents from overseas.

"This is the first time for the U.S. Congress to recognize a model for a Chinese City for the partnership in entrepreneurship innovation, technology and education," Gene Hartigan, co-chairman of the U.S.-China Partnership Committee, told Xinhua on Thursday.

"This will get great attention from leaders in Washington D.C. and become the model for cooperation in the future between the U.S. and China in partnership in these areas," he said. "Currently the US and Chinese government have a platform called Strategic and Economic Dialogue. This statement approved by congress will create a new dialogue in innovation and entrepreneurship between the US and China."