2015-04-16

On April 16th, 2015, Mr. ZHANG Yi, who was on the business trip in Italy paid a visit to several officials of the Italian government in succession. He presented the current work of the Commission to the Italian officials and negotiated with them over the issue of carrying out the potential cooperation in order to add luster to the 45th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relation between China and Italy through the concrete actions.

      At 11 am, Mr. ZHANG headed the Delegation in the companionship of Mr. Giorgio Casadei, Senior Advisor of the Commission and Mme Giada WU Wenci, Director of Italian Liaison Office of the Commission to meet with Mr. Francesco Rutelli, Italian Senator and Founder, President of Associazione Priorita Cultura and Mr. Gianluca Ansalone. 

Mr. ZHANG Yi and Mr. Francesco Rutelli

Mr. ZHANG Yi, Mr. Francesco Rutelli (Middle) and Mr. Gianluca Ansalone (Left)

Mr. Francesco Rutelli used to be the Mayor of Rome (1993-2001), the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Culture (2006-2008) and is a famous Italian political figure. Associazione Priorita Cultura founded by him aims to promote the international cooperation in the field of cultural exchange, cultural diplomacy and cultural creativity. The association is actively engaged in the cooperation with the related association of China and has successfully held the First Italy-China Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy and Creative Industries in Beijing on June 26th, 2014 and will hold the second symposium in Milan and Venice from July 21st to 24th, 2015. 

Mr. ZHANG Yi introduced the functions and basic facts of the Commission to Mr. Francesco Rutelli and extended his congratulation on the achievement Associazione Priorita Cultura has made in the hope of carrying out the future cooperation. Mr. Francesco Rutelli expressed his welcome to Mr. ZHANG’s visiting and expected to make the contribution to the friendship between China and Italy through the concrete projects of cooperation. Mr. Francesco Rutelli is concurrently the coordinator of the cooperation concerning the work of building the new silk road, who has been recognized by Italian and Chinese sides. Mr. ZHANG discussed with him on the specific cooperation between both parties and received the positive feedback. Both parties have reached the consensus of conducting the future cooperation and indicated the willingness of keeping in touch in the hope of fulfilling the intention of cooperation.