The love-themed No.1314 Bus runs in Hangzhou.
The thematic exhibition featuring interactions between Hangzhou and Verona was held in Verona, Italy this year.
By Zhu Jingning
As two ancient civilizations and major global economies, China and Italy share a strong foundation for friendship and cooperation.
On Nov 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Beijing, emphasizing that the two countries should make joint efforts to build a world of harmonious coexistence. After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements spanning culture, technology, education, and world heritage partnerships.
At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Hangzhou Mayor Yao Gaoyuan and Verona Mayor Damiano Tommasi signed the collaboration protocol between the city of Hangzhou and the city of Verona.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, the 700th anniversary of the passing of Italian traveler Marco Polo, and the 5th anniversary of the city-twinning agreement between Hangzhou and Verona concerning both a shared promotion and the development of their respective world Heritage sites, inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Modern and historical exchanges
between world tourism cities
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy in 1970, Hangzhou and Italian cities have maintained fruitful collaboration in trade, culture, and sister-city relations, which has brought abundant results and promising prospects, adding momentum to stable and sustainable China-Italy relations.
On the afternoon of Nov 10, President Mattarella made a visit to China Academy of Art (CAA) in Hangzhou. An exhibition commemorating the 700th anniversary of the passing of the Italian explorer Marco Polo opened here last Saturday.
Titled “The Perfect Path: Hangzhou, Marco Polo’s ‘city of heaven’”, the event is co-hosted by the CAA and La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale). Closely linked by the 2,000-year-old Silk Road, the joint hosting of the exhibition is another fine example of the two nations’ cultural inclusiveness and innovativeness.
President Mattarella viewed the first exhibition of Venice Biennale beyond Italy, asking questions from time to time, and gave a high evaluation “a perfect exhibition! An amazing school”.
Later that evening, President Mattarella attended the opera Marco Polo, one of the educational and cultural exchange programs, at the Grand Theater of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music.
Hangzhou’s ties with Italy date back centuries. In the 13th century, Italian traveler Marco Polo visited Hangzhou and praised it as the finest and most splendid city in the world.
In the 17th century, Italian missionary Martino Martini arrived in Hangzhou, where he lived out his days. His work Novus Atlas Sinensis provided the most comprehensive and scientifically accurate map of China at the time, sparking Western interest in Chinese culture and marking a brilliant chapter in Hangzhou’s history of international exchanges.
Romantic bonds strengthened by love
Verona is famously home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, while Hangzhou is the setting of The Butterfly Lovers, a beloved Chinese love story. As friendship cities, two cities have forged a poetic bond across borders.
In March 2019, Hangzhou and Verona signed an agreement to promote, develop and share their respective UNESCO world heritage sites, ushering in a new chapter in cultural exchange between the two ancient cities. Later that year, the Verona delegation visited Hangzhou, where they enjoyed the charm of the cuisine, etiquette and scenery. Federico Sboarina, the then-Mayor of Verona, wrote the Chinese character Fu with a calligraphy brush at Cuncheng Pavilion in Wansong Academy, sending his heartfelt wishes to the people of Hangzhou.
Over the past five years, Hangzhou and Verona have continued high-level exchanges, promoting in-depth collaboration in cultural heritage protection, the integration of cultural tourism with World Heritage sites, cultural industry exchanges, and economic and trade exhibitions.
Centering on romantic themes, the two cities have held romance culture weeks, academic exchange forums, and world heritage site friendship forums. In May 2024, the thematic exhibition featuring interactions between two cities throughout history was held simultaneously in both cities, further enhancing the cultural and civilizational exchange between China and Italy.
Love and romance invariably surpass nationality and language. China’s first love-themed bus line, No.1314 Bus, runs through the Hangzhou city, creating sweet moments for both local and international tourists. The bus, with silhouettes connecting the red, white, and green colors, symbolizes the long-standing friendship between China and Italy. The viral white-snake shaped bridge at West Lake World Love Culture Park, a symbol of timeless love, infuses Hangzhou with romance. At popular Hangzhou tourist sites like Wansong Academy and Leifeng Pagoda, souvenirs adorned with symbols of Hangzhou, West Lake, and the love stories are popular with visitors.
Friendships forged with
Italian world heritage cities
In addition to Verona, Hangzhou has forged friendships with other Italian World Heritage cities.
In 2008, Hangzhou and Pisa, home to the famous Leaning Tower, became sister cities. Pisa has participated in Hangzhou’s leisure expos multiple times and established a city-themed pavilion, and athletes from Pisa’s regional rowing club have competed in Hangzhou.
Venice, the “City of Water”, became Hangzhou’s international friendship city in 2011. Over 700 years ago, Marco Polo set sail from the city’s port to explore China, documenting the “city of heaven” of Hangzhou. A gondola traveled across the ocean to Hangzhou’s Grand Canal in 2013. This iconic Venetian watercraft has since become a scenic attraction along Hangzhou’s Grand Canal.
In September this year, Laura Fincato, former Italian Deputy Foreign Minister and representative of Venice’s mayor, participated in the Global Mayors Dialogue·Hangzhou and the 9th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference, using the theme of sailing to explore the future development of international cities.
From mutual attraction to mutual admiration, as outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, China and Italy show the world that working together leads to peace. And as an old friend, Hangzhou will continue to deepen its exchanges with Italian cities, weaving a story of enduring friendship and collaboration.