President Xi Jinping and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella met with entrepreneurs and representatives of cultural institutions from both countries and delivered keynote speeches during Xi's state visit last Friday.

Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang and Liu Yuzhu, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China exchanged ideas on future collaboration with Italian counterparts. Over 40 culture and tourism organizations and enterprises, including delegates from the Palace Museum, National Museum of China, and National Center for the Performing Arts, attended the conference.

In his keynote speech, the minister spoke highly of the Sino-Italian cultural cooperation system. He said fruitful results have been achieved with two countries working together on cultural heritage protection, tourism, creative design, film and TV industry.

The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Italy. Luo said both nations will further consolidate comprehensive strategic partnership, and successfully run the "Year of Culture and Tourism" activities.

Alberto Bonisoli, the Italian minister of cultural heritage and activities, said China and Italy have set a great example of cultural exchange. Italy is willing to deepen mutual understanding and push Sino-Italian relations to the next level.

Minister Luo met and reached important consensus with Italian ministers Alberto Bonisoli in cultural heritage and activities, and Gian Marco Centinaio in tourism.

After the talks, national leaders from both countries witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents, including a memorandum of understanding on jointly advancing the construction of the Belt and Road, and the document on the return of Chinese relics confiscated by Italy.

The Chinese cultural delegation, led by Chinese Minister for Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang, visited Italy from March 20-24.