Information from the official website of Empire State Building [Photo: hangzhou.com.cn]

New York's iconic Empire State Building will turn blue later today to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Zhejiang University.

Blue is the Chinese university's traditional color.

It's the first occasion the building will be specially illuminated to honor a Chinese university.

It's reported the tribute is a gift from the Zhejiang University North American Alumni Association of New York Branch.

The Empire State Building is often lit up for special occasions, and in the past was illuminated to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

There are very strict rules governing such lighting tributes. Until now, it had only been lit up in honor of New York based universities, such as New York University and Columbia University.