BPAFFC presents Beijing’s achievements at China-Italy dialogue

At the invitation of the Italy-China Friendship Association, Istituto Italiano OBOR, and the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association, Dai Jianjun, Secretary-General of the BPAFFC, led a four-member delegation to Italy from April 15 to 18. During their stay, they attended the 4th China-Italy Friendship Cities Cooperation Dialogue, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese Embassy in Italy, the Italy-China Friendship Association, and other organizations. They also engaged in discussions on people-to-people exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with Istituto Italiano OBOR and the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association.

Presenting Beijing’s achievements from multiple perspectives

The delegation attended the 4th China-Italy Friendship Cities Cooperation Dialogue held at Palazzo Valentini, Rome, on April 16. Present at the event were over 200 representatives from 14 provinces and cities in China and four regions and 15 cities in Italy. Dai Jianjun, head of the delegation, delivered a speech titled Super-Large City Governance: Practice and Experience of Beijing at the sub-forum on urban governance. He shared Beijing’s experience in leveraging science and technology and implementing pluralistic governance to modernize super-large city governance. Wang Hui, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and Nie Shuang, Level II Division Rank Official of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Beijing’s Mentougou District, spoke at the sub-forums on industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, respectively. They introduced distinctive industries such as finance, cultural tourism, high-end manufacturing, and digital economy, and shared best practices in preserving and passing on traditional culture and advancing urban renewal and development.

Discussing pragmatic cooperation in diverse areas

During the visit, the delegation held productive talks with multiple friendship organizations. It met with Michele De Gasperis, President of Istituto Italiano OBOR, and proposed to deepen bilateral cooperation over the next five years in six key areas: people-to-people exchanges, pragmatic cooperation, cultural exchanges, youth friendship, subnational cooperation, and regular dialogue mechanisms. The Italian side responded positively to the proposal. Both parties signed a memorandum of cooperation and reached preliminary consensus on the Italian delegation’s participation in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing next year.

The delegation met with Elena Ma Jun, President of the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association. Their communication was focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, cultural tourism, education, and subnational cooperation. Preliminary consensus was reached on organizing Italian youth to visit Beijing for international art exchange events, and on establishing friendship cities and sister schools between Beijing and Italy to jointly promote cultural tourism cooperation and educational exchanges. Also present were Concetta Tassone, President of the Sideros Association, and Mr. Liberato Mirenna, Vice President of the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association.

This year is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. BPAFFC’s visit to Italy deepened people-to-people exchanges between the friendship cities of Beijing and Rome, expanded the channels of communication with friendship organizations in Italy, and consolidated the consensus on enhancing people-to-people friendship and carrying out pragmatic cooperation. It contributed Beijing’s wisdom and civil society strength to further deepening and solidifying the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.