The ballroom of the Shanghai Marriott Hotel was specially decorated as a classroom Friday, with school desks and chairs lined neatly into rows and exercise books and pencils placed on them.

No, this wasn't a sitting of the upcoming gaokao (China's national college entrance examinations) but a signing ceremony between Marriott International and the Yao Foundation, a charity dedicated to fostering children's education in rural China.

Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming, founder of the eponymous charity, and Simon Cooper, president and managing director of Asia Pacific Marriott International, attended the ceremony.

The Yao Foundation is a specialized fund established under the auspices of the China Youth Development Foundation to promote the all-around development of Chinese youngsters by providing opportunities to improve their education and self-esteem.

According to the three-year agreement, which takes effect January 2016, Marriott International will commit 8 million yuan ($1.29 million) to establish four new Hope Schools in China, as well as provide resources and support for three basketball seasons for every Hope School established by Yao's foundation.

"We want to make a difference for children in rural China. We have to give them facilities and tools in order to achieve," said Cooper. Since 2013, Marriott International has cooperated with the Yao Foundation to help teenagers in rural China, including the construction of two Hope Schools in Southwest China.

The first school project, the Lu Zhou Marriott-Yao Foundation Hope Primary School in Sichuan Province, was completed and opened in 2014. The earthquake-resistant, five-story building provides education to 678 pupils and 100 preschoolers from its local community.

The second Hope School is located 4,000 meters above sea level in Tibet Autonomous Region. Despite the construction difficulties due to a lack of transportation infrastructure and extreme weather condition, the foundation plans a completely modernized facility, including a computer lab and library.

Student representatives from both schools attended the event in Shanghai earlier this month. It was the first time that Wang Qiaoru, grade 4, from Luzhou and Danzhen Zeren, grade 6, from Tibet had been to Shanghai.

Though a bit nervous on stage, Danzhen came across as a very determined young man when asked about his dreams. "I want to be a soldier to protect my motherland," the dark-complexioned youth said in slightly mispronounced Putonghua.

Cooper and Yao recommend some books to the two students, with Cooper suggesting the World Atlas and Yao praising Daniel Defoe's 18th century classic Robinson Crusoe. "It is more than an adventure story. In everyone's heart there is an island. Every now and then our heart needs an exploration," said Yao.

Both students were visibly excited to receive the books from Cooper and Yao. In return, they offered hugs along with red scarves, the national symbol of Chinese students. At a height of 226 centimeters, Yao got down on one knee to receive his hug and gift.

"What I like about this event is that we have two kids who would probably never have seen Shanghai if we hadn't invited them here. They will have some good stories to tell back home," said Cooper.

"Marriott International is a very socially responsible cooperation. This common ground brought us together," Yao commented. "Supporting education for children is a tremendous mission and Marriott International is a wonderful partner."

"What's terrific about the Yao Foundation is that it's focused on helping the young people of rural China. They have less advantages and that makes the effort so much worthwhile," said Cooper.

Since the Yao Foundation was established in 2008, more than 10,000 Chinese rural youth have benefited from studying in the 18 Hope Primary Schools it has funded.

Besides constructing the schools, the foundation has also initiated a basketball league for its students, which it says will help them in building self-confidence and learning good sportsmanship, which will be crucial for their futures.

Simon Cooper (left) from Marriott International poses with two student representatives and Yao Ming. Photo: Courtesy of Marriott International