A bronze replica of Michelangelo's David was presented by the city of Florence to Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province on Saturday.

 

The 5.17 meters-tall statue is on display in Ningbo Theater Square, the first time a replica of the 502-year-old statue has been presented to another city.

 

The David statue is a symbol of Florence, said Gori Silvano, mayor of the Italian city, who hoped it could help establish a bridge for artists and businessmen from China and Italy to exchange ideas.

 

"Florence and Ningbo are both major production bases of men's clothing and we established links in March," said Cheng Yuechong, vice-mayor of Ningbo, who added that Ningbo would learn from Florence's experience in the protection of cultural relics and the development of its clothing industry.

 

The arrival of the statue also marks the opening of the Italian Film Week and the Italian Food Festival in Ningbo. In return, the Ningbo city government has sent Florence a pair of stone carved lions, traditionally viewed as symbols of good luck and fortune in China.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2006)