China - Italy 2006

Relations between China and Italy in 2005 - the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries - are experiencing a "powerful acceleration" which will move into top gear next year, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini has said. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Fini said that cooperation between China and Italy is growing significantly and will be further strengthened in 2006, officially "The Year of Italy in China". "I believe that it is possible to say, without exaggeration, that today Italy is one of the principal and most important partners of China in Europe, and in the West," he said. "...and for Italy, China is increasingly becoming one of our principal partners and allies," Fini added.

In connection with the preparation of the Italy China 2006 celebrations BLN was invited to visit Italy as guest of the Comune of Rivara in northern Italy close to Torino. Accompanied by vocalist Wang Yan and Pianist Meng Ke on Piano they performed in the beautiful Castle - Castello di Rivoli. BLN was invited to Rome by Teatro delle Opera to set up a special performance of traditional and modern Chinese music and dance performance for a special gala evening at the Caracala and by European-Mediterranean Music Festival for a special weeklong programme at Villa Adriana, Tivoli outside Rome.