Chinese and Italians enjoy two "complementary cultures" that share the same "imperial grandeur" and look forward to boosting exchanges, an Italian top official told Xinhua in an exclusive interview ahead of the opening of the Chinese Culture Year in Italy.

On Oct. 7, Italy and China will inaugurate one year full of celebrations featuring hundreds of artistic events aimed at further spreading knowledge of the Chinese culture in Italy and paving the way to a dynamic cultural cooperation. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Giuliano Urbani, former Italian cultural heritage minister, has a deep knowledge of China and has been appointed coordinator of the Chinese Culture Year in Italy organizing committee by the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

He has been working hard during the past months to make sure the commemoration will be a success for both China and Italy, and especially for the future of their "multi-sector" cooperation.

"China and Italy have a lot in common," Urbani said, "They can boast a parallel imperial past of greatness, a historical pedigree of nobility that allows them to perceive each other on the same level. There's no feeling of superiority but of equality among the two nations because we have both accomplished great deeds," he said.

Urbani expressed the hope that the Chinese Culture Year in Italy may further boost the cultural exchanges and favor a sort of "osmosis" process between the two cultures in various sectors.

He said that Confucianism was already enjoying a great appeal among Italians, while young Chinese loved Made-in-Italy fashion and dressed with the same "style" as Italy's youth.

But in his view, there are more strategic fields where an exchange of views and philosophies could benefit the two countries' development in terms of technology, medicine, science and so on.

Recalling a past experience in China, when he was suffering from a painful backache and taken to a local hospital by his Chinese colleagues, Urbani said that a blend between traditional Chinese medicine (massage and acupuncture) and Western medicine would be ideal.

"I remember doctors of different specializations conversing with one another on my state and I was struck by their interdisciplinary method, which we Italians should learn to adopt as well. The Chinese tend to concentrate on long-term cure and definite recovery, while we merely think of the most rapid way to intervene which is not always the most appropriate treatment," he said, adding that the Chinese therapy turned out to be an effective pain-killer.

Another sector open to cooperation where Italians could benefit is stem cell research, since Beijing is a frontrunner at a global level in delicate operations.

Urbani adores ancient Chinese culture, but he also eyes the potential of modern China with great interest.

"I hope the Italian public during this year's celebrations will also be attracted by the aspects of contemporary Chinese culture, especially art, which will be at the core of many exhibitions and initiatives. Each time I visit China, I am astonished by the vitality and dynamism of the country, the creativity of Chinese youth who express their emotions and inner world through painting," Urbani said.

Urbani believed Chinese contemporary culture offers "continuous surprises" and is the best instrument with which to approach Italians and help spread knowledge on China, which in many areas is still perceived as a distant and obscure country.

"I think Italian people will be most fascinated by China's innovative, creative architecture and design once they have a chance to see it," Urbani said. He is looking forward to the launch of the Chinese Cultural Year with enthusiasm and excitement.

Among the main events planned across Italy are a bilateral science forum, touristic promotion gatherings, a Sino-Italian youth festival, music and theater performances, ballets and a breathtaking art exhibition on the Chinese and Roman empires. The celebrations of the Chinese Culture Year in Italy follow the Italian Culture Year in China which took place in 2006.