Xi Visits Italy: Two countries to enhance cultural exchanges

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Europe

02:22

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Italy, leaders of both countries emphasized that they also want to promote cultural ties. Education exchange programs are one way to do this. And when young students are eager to learn and promote ties – the sky is the limit! CGTN's Michal Bardavid reports.

The students of the Italian boarding school - ROME CONVITTO NAZIONALE VITTORIO EMANUELE II speak fluent Mandarin. Many of them have visited China and spent a few months with local families. They want to learn about the Chinese culture at the Confucius Classroom program offered at their school.

MICHAL BARDAVID ROME "Prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Italy, students of this school decided to write a letter to Xi to express their eagerness to promote China and Italy ties. What was surprising was that the president wrote back himself."

The president of the school says Xi's response has inspired the students.

PAOLO MARIA REALE, PRESIDENT ROME CONVITTO NAZIONALE VITTORIO EMANUELE II "The age of young people, youth is to dream, and young people must dream, and in my opinion, their dream and mine as well was to get a reply, just an answer."

Xi's reply certainly made a lot of impact.

The students are aware that their government has been strengthening their ties with Beijing and they believe exchange programs create a strong connection for young people.

VALENTINA PIERSENSINI ITALIAN STUDENT "It's kind of a bridge between Italy and China. I think that nowadays China and Italy are getting closer and closer, so I think studying Chinese especially during these years while we're still young is really an important opportunity."

NICHOLAS KOVACICH ITALIAN STUDENT "We know the importance of China nowadays, culturally, politically, economically, so studying Chinese I'm sure is going to be something very important for my future."

In his letter to the school, Chinese President Xi called on the students to become modern-day Marco Polos and be ambassadors for cultural exchange between China and Italy. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Rome.