Liu Shaoqing, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Xiamen Municipal People's Congress, meets with Vito Rosario Petrocelli, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of Italy, on Nov 2. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]
A multi-party group of Italian parliament members headed by Vito Rosario Petrocelli, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of Italy, visited Xiamen, Fujian province from Nov 1 to 3.
Liu Shaoqing, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Xiamen Municipal People's Congress, briefed the Italian delegation on Xiamen's social and economic development at a meeting with the delegation.
Liu spoke highly of the close relations between Xiamen and Italy in economy, trade and investment and expressed her hopes to strengthen cooperation with various parties of the Senate of Italy.
Petrocelli said that Italy has always attached great importance to its participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), especially its cooperation with the Asian country in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The BRI is a development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in the countries of Europe, Asia and Africa.
"Belt" refers to the overland routes, or the Silk Road Economic Belt; whereas "road" refers to the sea routes, or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
During their stay in Xiamen, they also visited the Xiamen Media Group, the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, and a local tea culture exchanges center.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
