Zhejiang University Press signs a cooperation agreement with the Martino Martini Center of the University of Trento in Italy on Sept 25. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Zhejiang University Press (ZJUP) signed an agreement with the Martino Martini Center of the University of Trento in Italy on Sept 25 to deepen comprehensive cooperation on publications, research, teaching and cultural exchanges.

The two sides will join in publishing the teaching and research achievements of their colleges and institutes, organize seminars, workshops and academic meetings at regular intervals, and promote exchange programs for students and academic staff to get a better understanding of each other, said Lu Dongming, president of ZJUP.

Luo Weidong, vice-president of Zhejiang University, said that Martini, an Italian Jesuit missionary and sinologist who lived in Zhejiang in the 17th century, was one of the pioneers in facilitating communication between China and Italy. He hailed the cooperation between ZJUP and the Martino Martini Center as a significant step in furthering cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.

Riccardo Zandonini, director of Martino Martini Center, explained the center's main task of studying China and said he hoped the cooperation with ZJUP could help Italian scholars better understand the Asian country.

At the signing ceremony, ZJUP donated to the Italian center 60 kinds of books which cover Chinese culture, society, history, education and technology.

The Martino Martini Center, founded in 1997, is dedicated to research into Chinese culture, history, economy and society in the hope of enhancing cultural and scientific exchanges between China and Italy, China and Europe, and East Asia and Europe.

Officials from ZJUP and the Martino Martini Center present gifts to each other Sept 25. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]