Italian culture minister praises Chinese artists' support

The novel coronavirus has posed a challenge for countries around the world. Italy began a nationwide lockdown on Tuesday of 60 million people to contain the epidemic, as the number of cases elsewhere in Europe and the US increases.

Recently, Chinese tenor Mario Del Zhang, together with 14 Chinese vocal artists who have studied in Italy, performed the classic Nessun Dorma from the opera Turandot, to evoke confidence and hope for the future.

Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini posted the video on his Facebook page. "Thanks to these beautiful Chinese young people. The video moves and sends us a very strong message of hope," he commented.

The year 2020 marks the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism. As the current situation evolves, partners from both nations adjust plans to cope with the COVID-19 fight.

Beijing Design Week launched the initiative From Plan A to Plan @ to facilitate online exchange in the design industry. Within a week, it has gathered nearly a hundred endorsements from prestigious Italian designers, politicians and business figures.