The recent state visit to China of Italian President Sergio Mattarella has inspired discussions on deepening cultural exchanges between the two countries. This relationship has been enriched by historical figures like Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and explorer, and Giuseppe Castiglione, the former missionary turned court painter.

Modern envoys in both countries have been continuing Marco Polo's role to tighten the link.

For example, in July, the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence held a solo exhibition of the sculptures of Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China and a sculptor.

Among his works on show there was a bronze statue of Marco Polo, marking the 700th anniversary of the adventurer's death.

Wu was among those attending the recent China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism Conference in Beijing.

Having shown his works in Italy several times, Wu says the Marco Polo statue, depicting him on horseback, hails the efforts made by all these ambassadors for a shared vision of the two countries.