Feature: Merchants welcome joint Sino-Italian police patrols in Milan's Chinatown

Police officers from Italy and China on Monday launched a joint patrol in Rome and Milan in a program based on a Sino-Italian agreement.

According to the program, police who patrol the Chinatown areas of Rome and Milan will include four Chinese officers from May.

The initiative stems from an agreement between the two countries first reached in 2014 and confirmed last year. Italian police have carried out similar collaboration with countries such as the United States, Spain and Poland.

"I think this is a positive initiative," said Luca Sarais, owner of the Cantine Isola wine bar in the Milan's Chinatown.

The initiative would serve as intercultural reinforcement against local criminal gangs, he added.

In Milan's Chinatown, located in the northern part of the Italian business capital, between 70 and 80 percent of shops are run by Chinese owners, but around 80 percent of residents are Italian.

"My flower kiosk is in the open air, and it is very important for me to feel safe every day," said Nicola Leuci, owner of a nearby flower shop.

"I believe that an intercultural collaboration between different police forces is always a positive thing," he added.

Patrizia Facchinotti, owner of a greengrocer's in the same district, said, "I think Chinese policemen can definitely help. And they speak Mandarin, which is a fundamental tool to communicate with many Chinese citizens here."

Alessandro La Banca, in 2010 created a Facebook page dedicated to "Paolo Sarpi Quartiere di Milano, Italia," named after the main street in the Milan's Chinatown, praised the initiative.

"I have many Chinese friends and colleagues here, and any collaboration initiative between our two countries is absolutely welcome," he said. Enditem