Seven police officers from East China's Zhejiang province cooperate with the Italian police on patrols. [Photo/WeChat: peacetimes]

Seven police officers from East China's Zhejiang province were chosen to embark on a joint patrol mission to Italy with the Italian police lasting from May 28 to June 17, to ensure the safety of Chinese people traveling to or living in this country.

The seven officers, selected by the Department of Public Security of Zhejiang, are proficient in Italian or English. They are being accompanied by another three police officers selected by the Ministry of Public Security from other places across the country, who are also fluent in the Italian language.

The group of 10, consisting of eight men and two women, are divided into four teams for patrols with the Italian police in Rome, Milan, Venice and Prato respectively, each team including at least one person who can speak Italian.

They had received a two-week training at the Zhejiang Police College earlier this month before departure on May 27, to learn Italian, patrol skills, Italian laws and regulations.

They will be outfitted with Chinese police uniforms and equipment upon arrival in Italy and mix grouping with local police on patrols by foot or car. Not having a right on law enforcement, they will support the Italian police by offering advice on police matters.

During the patrol, the Italian police will also set up a hotline in Rome for Chinese citizens or Chinese people living in Italy to call the police.

This is the third time that Chinese police has sent delegates on duty to Italy.

Driven by a surge in Sino-Italian relations in recent years, both parties reached an agreement in June 2014 for carrying out joint patrols in peak tourist seasons, to ensure the safety and protect the interests of both peoples in the other's land.

Under the agreement, four Chinese police officers went on a first joint patrol with the Italian police in May 2016, followed by a second patrol by 10 Chinese police officers in Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples in June 2017. The officers were all selected by the Ministry of Public Security.

"We are sending police officers to Italy for joint patrols, not only to ensure the safety of Chinese people but also to display the professionalism of our country's police force, so that other European countries will be encouraged to cooperate with us on law enforcement," said a person in charge of international cooperation at the Department of Public Security of Zhejiang.