President Xi's arrival captures Italy's attention

President Xi Jinping arrived in Rome on Thursday for the start of his first visit to Europe this year. Speaking after his arrival, President Xi said that the relationship between China and Italy is rooted in the long history of cultural exchanges between the two countries, and that substantial progress has been made in developing the relationship since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his wife Peng Liyuan disembark from the airplane upon their arrival in Rome, Italy, on March 21, 2019. Xi arrived in Rome Thursday for a state visit to Italy to map out the future of the bilateral relationship and move it into a new era. [Photo: Xinhua]

"As two of the world's most influential countries in terms of culture, China and Italy have always appreciated and learned from each other," he said.

China and Italy have set up permanent museums in each other's countries, held exchanges of cultural performances, developed film and television co-productions, and translated each other's literary works.

President Xi said in Rome that he is looking forward to meeting with President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and other Italian leaders to map out the future of the bilateral relationship. The visit comes as the two countries mark the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Xi's visit a high-profile event

Xi's visit is a high-profile event in Italy. The welcome provided by the Italian government started before his plane landed, when it sent two air force fighters to act as a guard of honor for President Xi's plane after it entered the country's airspace.

Two fighter jets from Italy's air force provide a guard of honor for President Xi's flight after it entered Italy's airspace. [Photo: China Plus]

The website of Italian national newspaper La Repubblica was quick to release the first story about the visit after President Xi touched down on Thursday.

Xi's visit was also headline news on the website of ANSA, Italy's biggest news agency. "Italy hopes to push forward the pragmatic cooperation of both countries in order to improve the bilateral relationship," President Mattarella was quoted as saying in the news agency's lead story. "I hope President Xi's visit can bring benefits to all of the countries across the European and Asian continent."

And Prime Minister Conte, speaking ahead of Xi's arrival, said he expects to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, which he believes will boost cooperation between the two countries.

The portrait of President Xi Jinping created by Italian artist Dario Gambar on a farm in the city of Verona in Italy. [Photo: China Plus]

According to ANSA, Italian artist Dario Gambar has created a giant portrait of President Xi on a 20,000 square-meter farm in the city of Verona. The artist spent eight hours using tractors and plows to create the likeness of President Xi. "I hope there is a chance President Xi can see my work during his flight," said Gambar.

President Xi's trip is highly anticipated in Europe

Xi's visit to Italy, his first overseas trip of this year, comes just three months after his visits to Spain and Portugal.

President Xi visited Europe five years ago after his election as president. He was China's first head of state to have visited the headquarters of the European Union. That visit marked the beginning of a new era of bilateral ties defined by a spirit of peace, growth, reform and civilization.