This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Italy Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. On the morning of November 9, Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM) and the Venice Conservatory of Music held a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The event was attended by Rocco Carlo Genchi, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai; Fabio Moretti, President of the Venice Conservatory; Gottipavero Roberto, Director of the Venice Conservatory; Wang Rui, President of ZJCM; Dong Dejun, Vice President of ZJCM; and other guests.

Wang Rui extended a warm welcome to Fabio Moretti and his delegation, providing a brief overview of ZJCM’s core features, academic strengths, and signature activities. He noted that ZJCM, as a young music institution, embraces an open and international approach to education, actively fostering global exchange and collaboration. He highlighted that “civilizations flourish through exchange and mutual learning,” emphasizing the importance of the partnership with the Venice Conservatory. Wang expressed hope that the signing of the MoU would serve as a catalyst for expanding cooperation, deepening exchanges in arts education, and contributing jointly to the flourishing of music and cultural development in both nations.

Fabio Moretti expressed gratitude for the warm reception and thoughtful arrangements. He noted that both China and Italy are ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritages, and music serves as a universal language that connects them. He emphasized that the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the two institutions. By building this partnership, he hopes to explore innovative modes of cooperation, provide broader platforms for artistic exchange and practice, and enhance the musical and cultural literacy of both communities, ultimately strengthening the friendship between the two countries.

Gottipavero Roberto elaborated on the Venice Conservatory’s curriculum and partnerships, expressing enthusiasm for engaging in deep dialogue and collaboration with ZJCM, particularly in opera and related disciplines.

The MoU was jointly signed by Wang Rui and Fabio Moretti, with Dong Dejun and Rocco Carlo Genchi serving as witnesses.

Following the signing, both parties exchanged gifts and took commemorative photographs. The agreement outlines future collaboration in areas such as faculty exchanges, joint student training, artistic creation, and other academic activities, aimed at driving innovation in arts education.

After the ceremony, Fabio Moretti and his delegation toured ZJCM’s Grand Theatre, Concert Hall, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Key Laboratory for Intelligent Processing Technology of Digital Music.