A Chinese police officer talks to a visitor during a joint patrol with Italian police in Rome, May 2, 2016.  [Photo/Xinhua]

In Rome and Milan, Mandarin-speaking officer said tourists, boost sense of safety

Police officers from China have started joint patrols in Rome and Milan with their Italian counterparts to provide assistance to Chinese tourists who increasingly are choosing Italy as a vacation destination.

Two uniformed Chinese police officers will patrol for two weeks beginning on Monday at the city's popular tourist spots, including the Colosseum in Rome and Milan's Gothic cathedral.

The initiative stems from an agreement between the two countries reached in 2014 and confirmed last year. Italian police have carried out similar collaboration with such countries as the United States, Spain and Poland.

"Today is an important day, because we are strengthening collaboration with China in a very special field," Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told a news conference in Rome that was attended by officials from the two countries.

The interior minister said he hoped the bilateral collaboration will be deepened with further agreements and extended to other Italian cities.