CMG and RAI Sign Three-Year Collaboration Deal

Italy’s state broadcaster RAI and the China Media Group signed a three-year memorandum of understanding on March 22, 2019, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Rome, establishing a framework for cultural and media cooperation between the two nations. The agreement, finalized at RAI’s headquarters on Viale Mazzini, brings together the Italian public broadcaster and China’s state media conglomerate to facilitate exchanges in radio, television, cinema and training programs, with RAI CEO Fabrizio Salini emphasizing the accord’s role in promoting cultural values between Italy and China. CMG Director General Shen Haixiong (慎海雄) described both countries as “cultural superpowers,” according to a readout from the Italian broadcaster, while RAI President Marcello Foa highlighted the broadcaster’s mission to open Italy to the world through cultural exchange, building on previous collaborations that included Chinese coverage of the Sanremo Festival.