An exhibition titled "Paestum: city of the ancient Mediterranean" has kicked off in southwest China's Sichuan Province to showcase the ancient civilization of the Mediterranean.

Paestum was a major ancient city on the coast of the Mediterranean.

Co-hosted by Italy's Paestum Archaeological Park and Sichuan Museum, the exhibition features 134 exquisite relics from the sixth to third century B.C., telling the history of cultural exchange, migration and socio-political changes during that period.

Meanwhile, 13 pieces of bronze ware from roughly the same historical period in China, the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.), are also on display to create a dialogue between the two ancient civilizations.

The exhibition will last until February 26, 2020. Academic forums and educational activities will be held while the show is on.

Paestum Archaeological Park also signed a cooperation framework agreement on Tuesday with Sichuan Museum and the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, under which the three parties will enhance exchanges and cooperation in excavation, protection, display and utilization of cultural relics.

Sichuan, home to giant pandas, has seen many cooperation and exchanges with Italian culture institutions and museums over the past few years.

Exhibitions on ancient civilizations in Rome and Pompeii were held in Sichuan, while ancient Sichuan civilization was also displayed in Rome and Naples.

Wang Yi, deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said at the opening ceremony on Tuesday that he looks forward to more practical cooperation projects in the fields of historical and cultural sites and relics between Sichuan and Italy for exchanges and mutual learning.