The 18th ‘Meet in Beijing’ Arts Festival, which was held from April 27 to May 31, was reported by Italian national media Il Giornale.

'Meet in Beijing' Arts Festival has grown enormously over the years and has gained increasing public attention, China Arts and Entertainment Group's Party chief Li Jinsheng and project director Wang Xiuqin said in an interview with Il Giornale. Turning a profit should not be the primary consideration, they said, and social values, which are highly important, are something they are currently working hard on. 

As the guest of honor of the 18th ‘Meet in Beijing’ Arts Festival, Italy is introducing not only  artists to China, but ways of cultivating arts to the country as well, Il Giornale said.

At the opening ceremony of ‘Meet in Beijing’, Academy of Chigiana di Siena sent five singers to cooperate with Beijing Symphony Orchestra for an Italian opera concert.

The invitation of Academy of Chigiana di Siena also demonstrates Italy's high quality in musical training, Il Gironale said.

The annual arts festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, State Administration of Radio and Television, and the Beijing municipal government, and organized by China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture. 

The event held 130 performances, three art exhibitions and a number of charity art education events put on by nearly 800 artists from 19 countries and regions.