With the theme of "Chinese culture and oriental aesthetics", a sub-forum of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations titled "Oriental Aesthetics" was held on May 4 in Milan, Italy.

Hosted by the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, the event gathered a number of experts and scholars in the fashion design field from China and Italy, who had in-depth discussions on aesthetics, as well as fashion and design cooperation between the East and the West to promote fashion culture exchanges between these two regions.

A sub-forum of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations titled "Oriental Aesthetics" is held on May 4 in Milan, Italy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Bai Yugang, director of the Shandong provincial publicity department, said in his speech that Shandong and Italy have had exchanges for more than 2,000 years, adding that Marco Polo, Giuseppe Castiglione, and Matteo Ricci have made outstanding contributions to the cultural exchanges between China and Italy.

As one of the sub-forums of the ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, the event aimed to explore the splendid clothing culture of China, show the unique charm of oriental aesthetics, as well as enhance Italian people's knowledge and understanding of Chinese civilization, said Bai.

Bai also expressed hopes that the two sides will take this opportunity to deepen academic discussions, strengthen personnel exchanges, expand cooperation channels, and carry out cooperation in various fields to jointly create a better life for mankind.

Liu Kan, consul-general of China in Milan, said that the friendly exchanges between China and Italy over 2,000 years have strongly promoted the exchanges and integration of Eastern and Western civilizations. To carry on friendship and deepen cooperation is the common aspiration of the people, as well as conforms to the trend of the times and the fundamental interests of the public in the two countries.

The Chinese Consulate General in Milan will continue to support bilateral exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture, and other fields, Liu added.

Mario Boselli, president of the Italy China Council Foundation, said that the two sides will further deepen cooperation, carry out all-round and multi-discipline cultural activities, as well as promote exchanges and integration between China and Italy in the field of fashion culture.

During the event, the Chinese Culture Fashion Institute was inaugurated. The China Confucius Foundation and the Italy China Council Foundation also signed a letter of intent for cooperation.

The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations is an international comprehensive cultural forum named after the birthplace of Confucius, Nishan in Qufu, Shandong province. Since its inception in 2010, eight sessions have been held successfully. The ninth edition will be held in Shandong in September, with three overseas sub-forums to be held in Thailand, Austria, and Italy.