Visiting Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi Monday called upon more exchanges between Italy and China on language and culture.

"I wish once again to encourage all of you, particularly the young people of China, to make the Italian language and culture a part of your lives, a bridge to bring us closer," Ciampi said.

Facing over 100 Chinese scholars who are engaged in Italian language teaching and research, Ciampi said more and more Chinese show interest in learning Italian language, but the total number of the learners is still small.

"A broader cultural interchange and a wider spreading of Italian are beneficial to the development of the Italy-China relations of mutual interest," he said.

According to Francesco Sisci, culture counselor of the Italian Embassy in China, China has more than 1,000 Italian language learners and researchers, and only seven universities have offered the specialty of Italian language. More than 800 Chinese students are studying in Italy at present.

Ciampi made the proposals to improve the language and cultural exchanges between the two countries, including building up a China research center in Turin, setting up a college of China in Bocconi University, and establishing friendly relationship between the certain Universities of the two countries.

Ciampi said both China and Italy have inherited great civilization and traditional friendship, and this will be the important basis for the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Ciampi arrived in Beijing Saturday for a six-day state visit. He said before he left for China that the visit will inject dynamics for the cooperation in all fields. He also hoped to enhance the friendly relations between the two countries and the two peoples through the political, economic and cultural exchanges.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2004)