Italy has taken another step forward in fostering good relations with emerging economic superpower China via a new program for academic cooperation, Italian media reported on Wednesday.

The Marco Polo program, sponsored by Italy's powerful industrial employers' association Confindustria, sets up a system for "stable relations" between Chinese and Italian universities.

The agreement is the fruit of Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi's trip to the oriental country earlier in the month, which was aimed at promoting economic and cultural ties between the countries.

Marco Polo will provide a platform for the management of joint research projects.

Offices in both countries will also be set up for the coordination of academic exchanges involving researchers and lecturers - all of which will be supported by intensive foreign language instruction programs.

Furthermore, studies will be carried out to establish in which fields cooperation between the countries' scientists will be most productive.

Marco Polo will make it easier for students from one country to enroll on courses in the other too.

Over 2,000 Chinese students are expected to attend courses at Italian higher-education institutions next year, thanks to the initiative.

The program will also enable Chinese graduates to gain work experience with Italian firms.

"It was time for a partnership between the countries to be formed at a national level to build on the bilateral ties between institutions," said University of Bologna Dean Pier Ugo Calzolari.

Concern is high in Italy that increased competition from Chinese firms with lower labor costs may spell trouble for the Italian industry.

Ciampi's trip, however, has helped present an alternative view -that China's emergence on the international economic stage presents opportunities as well as challenges.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2004)