Steeped in the enchanting melodies of classical arias and the romantic notes of piano music, the Italy Visa Application Center opened its doors in Beijing on Wednesday. Jointly hosted by the Italian Embassy in China and the Xi'an Conservatory of Music, the event was followed by a photographic exhibition by the Italian ANSA news agency titled "The places of Marco Polo today," as well as an exhibition including some shots of the TORX, the endurance trail that crosses the Alps along the high routes of the Aosta Valley in Italy.

Italian Ambassador to China Massimo Ambrosetti gives a speech. Photo: Courtesy of the Italian Embassy in China

The photographs by ANSA offer visitors an immersion into Marco Polo's journey, focusing on his extraordinary experience of exploration, the places he visited and the cultural impact of his journey on modern history. 

The launch of the visa center coincides with the beginning of the tourist season and its creation is meant to make travel to Italy more convenient for Chinese tourists.

Addressing the inauguration, Italian Ambassador to China Massimo Ambrosetti said that in the first half of 2024, the Italian Embassy issued 120,000 visas, an increase of 130 percent year-on-year.