Chen Guangjun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, met with a delegation led by Cristina Carenza, deputy head and minister of the Italian Embassy in China, on July 10.

Chen welcomed Cristina's visit and underscored Guangdong's strong commitment to fostering friendly cooperation with Italy.

Chen Guangjun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, meets with a delegation led by Cristina Carenza, deputy head and minister of the Italian Embassy in China, on July 10. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Within the framework of bilateral relations between China and Italy, Guangdong has established two pairs of sister provinces and six pairs of sister cities with Italy, and has carried out diverse and fruitful cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, culture, science and technology, tourism, and education, said Chen.

He noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as and the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo. Guangdong has actively promoted the re-staging of the Chinese opera "Marco Polo", premiering it in Guangzhou in May to wide acclaim, Chen said. 

He expressed his expectation to further expand cooperation between Guangdong and Italy, aiming to cultivate a favorable atmosphere for bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Cristina expressed her expectations to strengthen cooperation with Guangdong in fields such as cultural heritage protection, environmental governance, sustainable development, education, architecture, and cultural tourism, thereby enhancing the depth of friendly relations between the two countries.