From July 3 to 5, An Italian delegation of five people with the Association of Friends of China under the Italian Parliament paid a visit to Shangri-la City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China’s Yunnan province.

The delegation was led by Vinicio Peluffo, president of the association.

The delegation visited Ganden Songtsen Ling Monastery, an ethnic primary school, Shangri-la Printing Center, the Cultural Center and the highland barley brewery. They also took a look at the resettlement project in Jidi village, Gyalthang town, and the support project with Shanghai in Dukezong ancient town.

Vincio Peluffo said, through on-site visits they have gained an initial understanding of local economic and social development, implementation of ethnic and religious policies, and development and protection of ethnic minority cultures in Shangri-la, especially in terms of the huge investments that the government has made towards local infrastructure, electricity, roads, schools and other areas. They were also impressed with the effectiveness of ethnic education, with the children studying using their own ethnic languages and living happy lives.  He mentioned that this was their first visit in Diqing, but in the future they would continue to pay attention to the development of Diqing.

A member of the delegation also said that there are many similarities between Diqing and Italy in term of terrain and ethnic populations. He added that Diqing has seen remarkable results in constructing new countryside and schools, and the unique local food and rich folk customs are memorable.