Nanjing University of the Arts, Zhonghe (Shanghai) Real Estate Co Ltd, and Rugao municipal people's government signed an agreement in Rugao -- a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on July 19 – for the construction of an academy of the arts.

According to the contract, Zhonghe will invest 1.63 billion yuan ($236.1 million) in Rugao to build an academy of arts for training professionals to film videos and digital images, as well as in post production. Nanjing University of the Arts will give the new academy its professional support.

Attendees at the signing ceremony included He Yijun, mayor of Rugao, Liu Xiangyang, secretary of the Party working committee of Rugao industrial zone, Liu Weidong, principal of Nanjing University of the Arts, and Yang Dongtai, executive director of Zhonghe (Shanghai) Real Estate.

Nanjing University of the Arts is the earliest art academy established in China. It can be traced back to 1912 when Liu Haisu, the founder of art education in China, and several of his friends first set up Shanghai Chinese Art College.

The university has become one of the most distinguished art universities in China and enjoys high reputation in China and throughout the world.

Representatives from Nanjing University of the Arts, Zhonghe (Shanghai) Real Estate Co Ltd, and Rugao municipal people's government shake hands after signing a cooperation agreement on July 19. [Photo/WeChat account of Rugao release]