NEW YORK－Harvard University professor emeritus Ezra Vogel was honored by the China Institute here last month with the annual Blue Cloud Award for his contribution and dedication to enhancing China-US relations.

The 89-year-old China scholar was honored with a special Lifetime Achievement Award under the Blue Cloud Award. In a video of his acceptance speech, the professor said the opportunity to work with China is very important for Americans "who care about it".

He also praised the institute's efforts to bring together people from the two countries, especially by "making efforts to hear real Chinese voices".

"I think hearing the voices of the people who live in China and how they view America is very important," said Vogel.

Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping delivered a keynote speech at the gala, expressing his confidence in good China-US relations.

Huang appreciated the institute's commitment to bringing people from both sides of the Pacific together over the past 93 years.

"I believe if we keep this confidence and courage, we can move ahead and have another 93 years or even more of friendship," he said.

The China Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing understanding and strengthening trust between the United States and China.

According to its website, the institute presents the Blue Cloud Award to "people whose exceptional achievements contribute significantly to US-China friendship and understanding".