Beijing, June 1, 2023 - Italian Ambassador to China, Massimo Ambrosetti, led a delegation from the Italian Embassy on a visit to the renowned cemetery of Matteo Ricci and other foreign missionaries. The visit was warmly welcomed by Yuan Jifu, Vice President of the Beijing Administration Institute, who emphasized the cemetery’s role as a nationally protected cultural heritage site and a symbol of cultural exchange between China and the West. Ambassador Ambrosetti expressed his gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements and expressed his desire for future visits to the cemetery.

During the visit, Associate Professor Zhang Haiping from the International Cooperation and Exchange Department served as the tour guide. He introduced the remarkable lives of Italian missionaries such as Matteo Ricci and Giuseppe Castiglione, and highlighted the historical significance of the cemetery, the preservation of cultural relics, and the cultural exchange between China and the West.

This visit serves as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Italy and China, as well as the shared appreciation for the historical significance of Matteo Ricci and the foreign missionaries.

(Written by Zhang Xi)