The Hopkins-Nanjing Center opened its doors in 1986 in a new, modern building located on the Campus of Nanjing University in Nanjing, China. The center boasted modern dormitories and its own library which is unique in that it is one of very few libraries in China operating without state censorship. The Hopkins-Nanjing Center strives for an atmosphere of intellectual and academic freedom with the closed society. A unique program, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center is a joint educational venture between the School of Advanced International Studies and Nanjing University. The program focus is on providing language training and increasing cross-cultural understanding for the next generation of China and America experts. As many as one hundred graduate students, qualified undergraduates, and mid-career professionals from both the United States and China participate in the program each year. Chinese students are instructed in English by SAIS professors and students sponsored by SAIS are instructed in Mandarin Chinese by faculty of Nanjing University. As often as possible, Chinese and SAIS students are paired as roommates so they can further develop their language skills and build friendships. The Hopkins-Nanjing Center was able to remain open throughout the Tiennaman Square Uprising and Massacre of 1989. In 1994 the Center faced another crisis when fire broke out in the complex. The Nanjing Center was able to meet these challenges and continues to operate today.