In a significant display of international collaboration, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella convened with representatives at the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism Conference and the Dialogue between Chinese and Italian University Presidents in Beijing on Friday.
The meeting provided a platform for the two leaders to receive updates on the ongoing cultural and educational collaborations between China and Italy. President Xi highlighted the millennium-long friendly exchanges that have fostered deep bilateral cultural and people-to-people connections, exemplifying equal dialogue and mutual development among diverse civilizations.
Under the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism, recent initiatives include the establishment of the Year of Culture and Tourism in each country and the innovative twinning of UNESCO World Heritage Sites between the two nations. Additionally, universities from both countries have engaged in extensive academic and youth exchanges, broadening joint research in emerging fields with promising outcomes, President Xi noted.
Addressing the current global landscape marked by disorder and transformation, President Xi urged both nations to collaborate in promoting China-Italy friendship and cooperation. He emphasized the importance of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations and called for active participation in building a community with a shared future for mankind, contributing collectively to world peace and development.
President Mattarella echoed these sentiments, praising the contributions of the Italian-Chinese cultural cooperation mechanism and the University Presidents Dialogue in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. He underscored that both Italy and China, as ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritages, share a deep appreciation and respect for each other. Referencing the historical journey of Marco Polo, President Mattarella highlighted the enduring mutual learning between Eastern and Western cultures.
Concluding the discussions, President Mattarella emphasized the need to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges, strengthen unity, and oppose confrontation. He stressed that these efforts would lay a solid foundation for the comprehensive strategic partnership between Italy and China, fostering sustained cooperation and growth.
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Xi, Mattarella meet China-Italy cultural conference representatives
cgtn.com
