Italian president highlights exchanges among civilizations

Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges among different civilizations as a means to promote mutual understanding between countries, speaking at an event at the prestigious Peking University in Beijing.

Mattarella is currently paying a state visit to China from November 7 to 12 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On Saturday evening, the Italian president attended an event at Peking University, where he delivered a speech and engaged in a dialogue with faculty and students from both China and Italy.

In his speech, Mattarella reflected on the long history of China-Italy relations. He said Chinese civilization and Italian civilization have been closely interconnected through cultural exchanges since ancient times, making significant contributions to the development of human civilization.

"The ancient Silk Road is one of the earliest practices of globalization. Along this groundbreaking route, intrepid merchants crossed continents to exchange goods, ideas and knowledge. It is also a reminder that mutual respect and open dialogue are fundamental elements for countries to achieve peace and prosperity," said the Italian president.

The event attracted many Italian students studying in China, who shared how their experience have deepened their understanding of Chinese society.

"I am loving it. I think it's a very beautiful country. People are very, very kind, also towards foreigners. I think the education here is at a very high level," said Azzurra Pisciotti, an international student at Renmin University of China.

"I think in a way we are very similar, Italy and China. There is a brotherhood between us in a way that both our cultures are structured in (similar) ways and (share) a long history, a long appreciation of values like family, culture, friendship and loyalty," said Alessandro Cutolo, an international student studying at Peking University.

Promoting cultural exchanges is one of the top agendas of Mattarella's current state visit to China. The two sides have signed multiple bilateral cooperation agreements in areas including culture, science and technology, education, and world heritage site partnerships.

Italian president highlights exchanges among civilizations

Italian president highlights exchanges among civilizations

Italian president highlights exchanges among civilizations

China's domestically developed anti-submarine Wing Loong-X UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) made its debut on Tuesday at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

The Wing Loong-X is currently the largest and heaviest armed reconnaissance and strike UAV in China, with a range of capabilities including long endurance and multiple payload options. It can fly for up to 40 hours and reach altitudes of 10,000 meters.

The UAV also has a quick response feature, allowing it to rapidly switch configurations and payloads based on mission needs.

"Under its wings, you can see two sets of sonar buoys and air-to-air missiles, with a torpedo hanging beneath. The customer demands it leads the world by five years, with strong detection and countering capabilities for air, land, sea, and underwater targets," said Tang Yong, UAV chief designer at Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

In addition to the Wing Loong-X, China's air force debuted two other new reconnaissance and strike UAVs, which are designed for tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions, with capabilities to carry electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and communication reconnaissance equipment, enabling them to target fixed and moving objects on land and at sea.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, is scheduled to run from Tuesday to Sunday.

China's self-developed Wing Loong-X UAV debuts at Zhuhai Airshow