The Cagliari delegation group exchanges football shirts with students from Xiapu No.1 Middle School. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

In a meeting of minds and cultures between Italy and China, the China (Xiapu) – Italy Cultural Tourism Economic and Trade Promotion Conference and the Joy in Xiapu cooperation signing meeting took place on Feb 21 in Xiapu county, situated in Ningde city, in East China's Fujian province.

During the event, Xiapu and the city of Cagliari in Italy signed a Letter of Intent to Establish a Sister-City Relationship.

Representatives from both sides signed cooperation agreements in areas like cultural tourism, football training and new energy.

Nicola Di Mascio, president of the World Trade Center (WTC) Pescara, was honored with the title of Honorary Citizen of Xiapu County.

Matteo Sechi, head of Partnership of Cagliari Football Club, presented a plaque to Xiapu No 1 Middle School, marking the official launch of the Cagliari Football Academy (sede affliata) in Xiapu.

Before the signing event, the Cagliari delegation explored Xiapu's industries and witnessed football matches. It got into the county's intangible cultural heritage, experienced the local She ethnic group culture, savored the area's cuisine and observed the economic, social and cultural progress of Xiapu.

Xiapu and Cagliari have a longstanding friendship rooted in football. In April 2019, Xiapu signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Pescara WTC, which started friendly exchanges between the two places.

Their enduring relations were formalized in April 2019 with a cooperation memorandum with the Pescara WTC. Over the years, the bond between Xiapu and Cagliari has grown, from youth football camps to cultural exchanges and commercial collaborations, building a cultural bridge across continents.

Members of the Cagliari delegation don She ethnic attire in Xiapu. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

Italian visitors are extremely fond of Xiapu's paper-cutting works. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]