A cultural tourism promotion event titled "Hometown of Confucius, Hospitable Shandong" opened in Rome, the "Eternal City" of Italy, on May 6.

Hosted by the Shandong Provincial Department of Cultural and Tourism, the event's opening ceremony was attended by more than 100 guests, including government officials from both sides, media outlets, as well as representatives from Italian travel agencies, airlines, hotels, overseas Chinese communities, and culture and art circles.

Shandong hosts a cultural tourism promotion event in Rome, the "Eternal City" of Italy, on May 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong is a large province in terms of population, economy, culture, and tourism along the east coast of China. It has a population of more than 100 million and is the third largest economy in China. It boasts rich cultural tourism resources as it is where Mount Tai raises, the Yellow River flows into the sea, and Confucius was born. "Friendly Shandong" has become an influential tourism brand.

China and Italy are outstanding representatives of the Eastern and Western civilizations, with both exerting great and far-reaching influence on the history and development of the East and the West.

An artist performs Chinese martial arts at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong and Italy have a long history of exchanges. From the ancient Silk Road to Marco Polo's tour in Jinan to the missionary Matteo Ricci's translation of The Analects of Confucius, local exchanges between the two sides have had a great and far-reaching impact on the course of Eastern and Western history.

Shandong is willing to work with Italian counterparts to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation, drawing a new chapter in the cultural and tourism cooperation and exchanges between the two places, said a senior official from the Shandong Provincial Department of Cultural and Tourism.

During the opening ceremony, Riccardo Busi, president of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), announced the decision to establish the China Coordination Office of the FIAP in Shandong province, signing a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

The Meeting the Sea along the Yellow River: Shandong Painting and Calligraphy photo exhibition also opened.

The Chinese painting "Confucius" is presented as a gift to a local official. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) signs a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]