BPAFFC receives delegation of Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association

At the invitation of the BPAFFC, a five-member delegation of the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association led by its President Elena Ma visited Beijing from August 6 to 8. The delegation was composed of a Rome city councilor, two business representatives, and an AI expert.

Wu Bing, Vice President of the BPAFFC, met with the visiting delegation on August 7. He reviewed the history of friendly exchanges between China and Italy, and outlined the BPAFFC’s engagement with Italian friendship organizations. He put forward cooperation proposals in four key areas: deepening people-to-people exchanges, advancing pragmatic cooperation, enhancing cultural exchanges, and fostering youth friendship. He looked forward to strengthening connections with the Italy-China Cultural Exchange Association and together contributing to the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.

Elena Ma thanked the BPAFFC for its meticulous arrangements for the delegation’s visit to Beijing. She introduced her association’s key initiatives in recent years, responded positively to proposals for enhancing exchanges in youth, arts, and trade, and expressed her hope to strengthen cooperation with the BPAFFC and foster closer people-to-people ties between the two regions.

Ms. Francesca Leocini, councilor of the Capitoline Assembly (Rome City Council) and Vice Chair of the Rome Budget Committee, noted that both Beijing and Rome are ancient capitals with profound cultural heritage. She highlighted ample opportunities for cooperation in culture, economy, and sub-national exchanges, adding that Rome could draw valuable lessons from Beijing’s experience in heritage preservation, urban renewal, and the adaptive reuse of industrial sites. She pledged to actively promote pragmatic cooperation with Beijing in these areas.

During their stay in Beijing, the delegation visited the Western Beijing AI Valley, Iceland Lab, Xixiang Technology Robot Restaurant, and Jinyu Coloured Glaze Cultural & Creative Industry Park in Mentougou District as coordinated by the BPAFFC. They also held discussions with relevant bodies of Mentougou District government on strengthening regional exchanges and cooperation.