2006 is set to be celebrated as China-Italy year, and Italy's Ambassador to China, Gabriele Menegatti, unveiled the major highlights of the year's program at a press conference Thursday in Beijing.

The curtain will rise on China-Italy year on January 20th, 2006, with an exhibition of Renaissance Art at the Millennium Art Museum in Beijing. The exhibition will run through until January 2007.

During the year, Italy will present various activities and performances in China, in the broad fields of culture, art, the economy, science and technology. During the year, Chinese people will be presented with an up to date and comprehensive view of Italy.

The agreement to jointly organize the China-Italy year was reached during the visit by Italian President, Carlo Ciampi, to China at the end of 2004.

Editor: Yan