Italian police team up with Chinese officers on tourist patrols in China

Four police officers from Italy have started a 2-week joint patrol with their Chinese counterparts at high-profile tourist sites in Beijing and Shanghai from April 24th to May 7th.

An Italian police officer patrols the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, April 24, 2017. [Photo provided to China Plus]

This marks the first time Italian police officers carry out joint patrols in China.

As part of the inter-agency agreement, the Italian officers will act in an advisory role, and will not carry weapons during their patrols.

An Italian police officer patrols the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, April 24, 2017. [Photo provided to China Plus]

Chinese police officers are due to begin a second round of joint patrols in four Italian cities, namely Rome, Milan, Florence and Naples in June.

A group of Chinese police officers joined their Italian counterparts in patrols of tourist locations in Rome and Milan in May, 2016. The four Chinese officers were able to provide assistance to Chinese tourists.

The initiative stems from an agreement between the two countries reached in 2014. Italian police have carried out similar patrols in the United States, Spain and Poland.