Under unique deal, Italy,
which attracts 3 mln Chinese tourists a year, allows police from China to
patrol Rome and Milan
In a historic first, Chinese police
started patrolling the streets of Italy on Tuesday, under a new agreement
between Italy and China.
Italy, which attracts some 3
million Chinese tourists a year, will exercise the agreement with Chinese
police officers walking the beat in Rome and Milan.
The program in both cities has
started and will last for two weeks, according to the Italian Interior
Ministry's website.
The deal marks the first time ever
China has sent its police officers to serve abroad.
The inauguration of the agreement
was held yesterday in Rome, in a ceremony with Italian Interior Minister
Angelino Alfano and China's Ambassador to Rome Li Ruiyu in attendance.
"Today is an important
day," said Alfano, "because it embarks on an unprecedented
initiative, a pilot project, which will also spread to other cities,
strengthening police cooperation, and will see Italy as a starting point for
all of Europe."
Alfano also said that the move will
make Chinese tourists feel safer in Italy.
"This police cooperation is
essential for cooperation between countries," said Li Ruiyu. "The
agreement is the first of its kind with a European country, and shows the
importance of seeking to protect Chinese citizens."
"The agreement will entice
more and more Chinese to visit Italy," he added.
Under the program, Chinese police
officers, armed with ample Italian-language training, will patrol the streets
alongside their Italian counterparts.
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