Beijing, September 3, 2023 - Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, led a delegation to visit the cemetery of Matteo Ricci and other foreign missionaries.

Executive Vice President Zhu Baicheng and Vice President Yuan Jifu of the Beijing Administration Institute warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Tajani and his delegation, expressing gratitude for their visit to the cemetery. Deputy Prime Minister Tajani also expressed appreciation for the thoughtful arrangements made by the Beijing Administration Institute.

Chen Lu from the International Cooperation and Exchange Department served as the tour guide, providing insights into the lives of Italian missionaries such as Matteo Ricci and Giuseppe Castiglione. She also emphasized the historical significance of the cemetery, the preservation of cultural relics, and the cultural exchange between China and the West.

The visit was facilitated with the support of the Beijing Institute of Archaeology (Cultural Heritage Research).

(Written by Zhang Xi)