Italian Delegation Visits Beijing

In the morning of August 16, a football exchange delegation from Italy led by Luanna Wang, president of the Italy China Friendship Association (ICFA), visited the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (the BPAFFC).

Zhang Qian, Executive Vice President of the BPAFFC, extended a warm welcome to Luanna Wang for her visit, and exchanged ideas on football activities organized by the ICFA and schools in Shijingshan District. Luanna Wang expressed her heartfelt thanks to the BPAFFC’s assistance in recent years in fostering the cooperation between the ICFA and the National Youth Campus Football Leading Group Office, the Beijing Youth Campus Football Leading Group Office, the Beijing Football Association, the government of Shijingshan District and Beijing Bayi School, among others. She said that the project of "Exchange on China-Italy Football Education", jointly promoted by the ICFA and the Shijingshan District, is expected to be officially launched next year. This project has already produced fruitful results such as friendly schools and art exchanges.

Italy was the destination of the ancient Silk Road and has become the first G7 country to join the Belt and Road Initiative. To further enhance the people-to-people exchanges between Beijing and Italy, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Italy diplomatic relations through events, the two sides also discussed about exchange visits by Chinese Kunqu Opera performers and joint show with Italian Opera artists.

Su Bensheng, Vice President of the BPAFFC, also attended the meeting.

Established in 2013, the ICFA has broad members from Italian regional committees, municipal governments, community organizations and conglomerates. It aims to promote results-oriented cooperation between China and Italy in science and technology, culture, sports, education, trade, and other fields. Three football coaches were part of this delegation, including Amedeo Mangone, a UEFA Pro Licence A1 holder.