Feature: China National Day at Milan Expo 2015

Monday was China National Day at the Milan world exposition. Flag-raising and ceremony with China's delegation and local authorities opened a series of China-centered events and conferences at various venues of the site and also across Milan.

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang expressed his hope that bilateral relations between China and Italy can be strengthened through the ongoing Milan Expo 2015 when addressing the ceremony.

He said China and Italy enjoy traditional friendship as the Silk Road linked the two countries more than 2,000 years ago, noting this year also marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Wang expected China and Italy to make use of the platform of Milan Expo to cement people-to-people friendship, deepen cooperation and advance bilateral partnership, and give vigor into the cooperation along the Silk Road.

Italian Minister for Education, University and Research Stefania Giannini stressed that the China National Day at Milan Expo was a "great opportunity to renew the old and modern encounter between China and Italy."

China and Italy have ancient friendship and relations that no other Western country can be proud of, she noted. "But I like to remind that Italy wants to further deepen collaboration in the cultural, scientific and technological field with China," Giannini stressed.

In order to achieve this result, Giannini wished more bilateral exchanges at the education and research level. "We all know that innovations come from ideas, and ideas come from the talent of young people who commit their life to the renewal of scientific thought for humankind," she said.

Over 100 delegates from both countries discussed innovative technologies and the management of agro-bio at an Italy-China Technological Innovation Forum promoted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research.

The day was also rich of cultural appointments. An exhibition of photos at the China Pavilion celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations Between China and Italy this year. Another exhibition, also on stage at the China Pavilion, was dedicated to the beauty of Chinese countryside.

Constantly updated shows and presentations are a reason for the popularity of China Pavilion, which has become one of the most visited ones at Milan Expo 2015. According to statistics, the pavilion has received more than half a million visitors since the opening of the Expo on May 1.

Chinese dance, Peking Opera, violin soloist, acrobatics, Taiji performance and piano concerto animated the Expo site in various moments of the day. A fun football match between the young champions of Italy and China also took place at an Expo space which was transformed into a stadium for the occasion.

"I perceive a growing interest in Italy for China as regards the business aspects but also the cultural fascination of this country," Pier Luigi Streparava, President of the Milan-based Italy-China Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua shortly after attending a Chinese solo piano concert.

"I was in China for the first time in 1980 and I was there a month ago the last time. I can say that the huge steps China is making deserve deep reflection," Streparava said. "China is becoming one of the biggest powers in the world and its will to have an active role in the global issues marks the responsible and smart attitude of this country," he highlighted. Endit