Zhejiang University is a comprehensive research university standing by Qiantang River, the mother river of Zhejiang province. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Three universities in Zhejiang province have been selected to participate in the "Double First-class" initiative, a national plan to create an elite group of world-class Chinese universities, according to an official document published on Sept 21.

Zhejiang University, China Academy of Art and Ningbo University were all included in the list of universities selected for the "Double First-class" plan, which is being launched by China's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and National Development and Reform Commission.

The policy targets China's highest-performing universities, and aims to turn those institutions into world-leading centers of higher education by 2020.

The plan identifies 42 universities and 95 university programs that it aims to raise to "first-class" status, meaning that they are among the best in the world in their fields, by the end of the decade.

Zhejiang University is among the 42 universities that will receive special support to become first-class institutions, according to the document. The college is one of the oldest and most prestigious in China.

China Academy of Art and Ningbo University, meanwhile, will work to develop specific programs into world-leading courses in their fields.

China Academy of Art aims to create a world-class program for Eastern fine arts, according to Xu Jiang, president of the academy.

Ningbo University will develop a new program that integrates mechanical engineering with marine production, information and communications technology, according to reports.

The "Double First-class" initiative will supersede the "985" and "211" plans, which have guided China's higher education policy for the last 20 years.

Located in the heart of Hangzhou, China Academy of Art has attracted and fostered many renowned artists who have become major artistic forces in China. [Photo/caa.edu.cn]