Xi's Trip to Europe: A new chapter in Chinese-Italian friendship

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Europe

02:50

Xi Jinping's visit to Italy has also sparked widespread discussion among the people there. One boarding school in Rome even teaches science-related courses in Chinese. Students there have read President Xi's book. Italian sociologists are also interested in China with some analyzing the Chinese leader's signed article in an Italian newspaper. CGTN's Carlo Malasombra has the details.

A study of culture is a good way to learn more about a country. Ahead of the Chinese President's visit to Italy, high school students in Rome turned their focus to the leader's writing, 'Xi Jinping, The Governance of China'.

GIUSEPPE VIGGIANI, STUDENT ROME CONVITTO NAZIONALE VITTORIO EMANUELE II "I have studied Chinese for five years and learned about Chinese culture. I think my future must have something to do with China."

PAOLO M. REALE, PRESIDENT ROME CONVITTO NAZIONALE VITTORIO EMANUELE II "I was very excited. I took two books, one for my private collection and the other for the school's library. That will be valuable for the whole school."

The students also wrote a letter to President Xi in Chinese. And they even got a reply from the Chinese leader himself. Xi encouraged them to be the 'Marco Polos' of the new era by promoting Chinese-Italian cultural exchanges.

GIUSEPPE VIGGIANI, STUDENT ROME CONVITTO NAZIONALE VITTORIO EMANUELE II "We didn't expect President Xi to send us a reply. It makes me feel very very happy. Because I really didn't expect it."

A signed article by the Chinese leader has also sparked discussion. 'A New Chapter of Chinese-Italian Friendship,' appeared in the 'Corriere Della Sera'. First published in 1876, it is one of the country's oldest. It's also the most read.

LUCIANO FONTANA, EDITOR IN CHIEF CORRIERE DELLA SERA "I think the most important and the most likely thing to be discussed by Italian analysts and historians is that President Xi mentioned cooperation between China and Italy. There will be a big leap forward in all aspects, including science, technology, industry, agriculture and trade."

PROF. RAFFAELE MARCHETTI INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, LUISS UNIVERSITY "China and Europe, China and Italy all should strengthen the interconnection of business, trade, economy and finance. Among them, Belt and Road Initiative is an important link."

Connecting the East and the West, promoting cooperation between China and Italy - that's what this state visit will hope to achieve. They are themes that will be high on the agenda when the leader of one ancient civilization visits another. With You Yang, Carlo Malasombra, for CGTN.