Italian President Sergio Mattarella arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a six-day state visit to China.

Mattarella first visited the Summer Palace, China's largest imperial park and among the most well-known classical gardens in the world, following his arrival in the Chinese capital.

Mattarella's China visit comes as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership and the 700th anniversary of the death of the renowned Italian explorer Marco Polo, who traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road more than 700 years ago.

China is ready to work with Italy to expand practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a regular press briefing in comments about the Italian president's visit on Tuesday.

Mattarella last paid a state visit to China in February 2017.