Italy's Ambassador to China, Gabriele Menegatti(L) and Pu Tong (R), the Vice General Director of Cultural Exchange under The Ministry of Cultur / Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM

A series of events called "Italy Spring" has been launched in Beijing on 17th May, marking another important part of "The Year of Italy in China". 　　

Italy's Ambassador to China, Gabriele Menegatti and Pu Tong, the Vice General Director of Cultural Exchange under The Ministry of Culture have attended a press conference at the Italian Embassy in China on Wednesday. 　　

The two-month “Italy Spring" extravaganza includes exhibitions, dance performances, music and arts events, offering an all-around view of Italy to the Chinese people. From Sicilian history and science in the Renaissance, to modern Italian arts and innovative Ferrari auto-making theories, Chinese audiences can learn about the many facets of Italy and Italian civilization. 　

In addition to cultural exchange, an environment protection cooperation project between China and Italy will be launched in July. And a forum on mid-size and small enterprises is set to open in Guangzhou in September. 　　

Chinese people will also get a chance to participate in the event. A photography contest called "Focus in Italy" invites all Chinese people to upload their own works to a website starting on Wednesday. The web address is www.yidalinian.org/jujiao. 　

Three categories pictures are welcomed: pictures about an Italian vacation, pictures about "2006 The Year of Italy in China" and pictures about Italian automobiles. 　　

Lucky winners will receive an Italian tour package, including airline tickets and several days in a star-rated hotel for two people.