Cultural exchanges bolster China-Italy ties, envoy says

Italy-China cultural exchanges help contribute to the stabilization of international relations, representing a new cooperation paradigm, says Italy's ambassador to China.

"Diversity is key for cultural dialogue", which plays an important role as we navigate a complex world rife with tensions, Massimo Ambrosetti told China Daily during a Hong Kong visit.

The ambassador made the remarks in response to a China Daily question on the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023, which advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations and the common values of humanity.

The envoy said the bilateral strategic partnership between Italy and China is going to be relaunched. The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Italy and China, as it was first signed in 2004, he noted.

"So this is a very important year," Ambrosetti said, while pointing to several exchanges that took place last year, including a meeting between China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome, as well as several visits of Italian ministers to China. This year, planning is underway for visits to China by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Speaking of the common values of humanity, the Italian ambassador said these values are at the heart of our identities as civilizations.

Ambrosetti said 2024 marks 700 years since the death of the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo, who traveled through the ancient Silk Road during the 13th century and spent many years in China.

Embodying cultural dialogue, "Marco Polo is a great example of the common humanity which links the East and the West", he said.

The ambassador views China and Italy as the most important civilizations in the East and the West, respectively.

The Silk Road is an ancient connection, that has been revived over the centuries, he said.

"Marco Polo is very important because …his book is the first book that created in the West a better knowledge of China."

Through culture, the exchanges will continue "as it is not just part of our cultural dialogue, but also part of our political dialogue", he said. "And in our dialogue, of course, principles, rights and values play a very important role."

The diplomat said that in ancient times, the contacts between the two civilizations were very purpose-oriented, for several reasons, starting with trade. "Rome imported a lot of silk, for instance, from ancient China," he said. "In fact, in the Latin language of Rome, the name of the Chinese was 'People of the Silk'."

At the same time, "during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD220), the largest amount of precious metal coming into the Chinese empire was from Rome. Gold and silver …etc," Ambrosetti said.

Longtime links

The ambassador noted that though Italy's links with China go back to ancient times, "we have to renew these civilizational links to foster cultural dialogue".

The diplomat was in Hong Kong in the past week as the La Scala ballet company from Italy staged performances in the city. The sixth China tour of the Teatro alla Scala Ballet, one of the most important cultural institutions in Italy and in Europe, kicked off in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with shows held from March 15 to 17, before it moved to Shanghai for the next stop.

In a globalized world, "people-to-people links and exchanges play a very important role", he said, adding that the exchanges "can contribute to the strengthening of international relations".

Ambrosetti said after the pandemic, Italy became one of the top destinations for Chinese tourists in Europe, with France and Switzerland.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com