WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- China and the United States launched a new fellowship initiative on Wednesday to support mid-career American professionals to study in China.

The initiative, known as Zhi-Xing China-Perfect World U.S.-China Young Leaders Fellowships, aims to sponsor 15 to 20 American 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 deeper understanding of China and U.S.-China bilateral relations through meetings, visits and cultural activities.

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

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

One of the best ways to invest in 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 U.S. could do more to make sure young Americans 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 make a contribution to support the fellowship through the next decade.

Given the importance of the bilateral ties, both public and private sectors of the two countries, the cultural industry in particular, should show greater support to U.S.-China people-to-people exchange, said Robert Xiao, Perfect World 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 U.S.-Chinese younger generations.

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