New "100,000 Strong Initiative" Hopes To Build U.S.-China Golden Bridges

(ASIATODAY) - U.S. President Obama's "100,000 Strong Initiative" has received a new boost this week as a Chinese delegation headed by President Hu Jintao visits America.

First Lady Michelle Obama announced more than USD2.25 million in private sector pledges in support of the initiative's goal of dramatically increasing the number and diversity of American students studying in China.

President Obama unveiled the "100,000 Strong Initiative" during his November 2009 visit to Shanghai. The initiative aims to increase significantly the number of Americans who have the opportunity to study in China. The initiative is also designed to help educational institutions establish or expand China study programs. U.S. Secretary Clinton officially launched the effort in May 2010.

The First Lady also highlighted several new efforts launched under the 100,000 Strong Initiative. In one of those efforts, the U.S.-based Ford Foundation is providing seed money to the non-profit organization Golden Bridges for the creation of a robust alumni network to bring together students who have traveled to China as part of the 100,000 Strong cohort and previously.

The Chinese government has also offered 10,000 scholarships for Americans studying in China. These "bridge" scholarships will cover all in-country costs and target high school and college students and teachers.