ROME, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Italy has launched the Light Bridge event in the Po Delta UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to celebrate the EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY 2018) from Friday to Sunday.

The Po Delta Light Bridge, part of the Light Bridge events in the European Union, especially lights in red for this occasion at night.

The bridge, a traversing typical boat bridge, is a symbol of friendship and communication between China and Italy.

"We can introduce this new place through the event. And the idea of experiencing this area is sustainability, good quality of life and live in nature," the press manager of the Po Delta, Silvia Baglioni said.

Hailing the EU-China Tourism Year, Franco Vitale, mayor of Rosolina, the city of Veneto, said Italy and China have common interests in many fields, adding, "I think the two countries can cooperate together to solve problems."

The Po Delta Veneto Regional Park Authority organized the event, financed with a project for the enhancing and the promotion of fishing products of the territory and the organic farmings in this area.

The Po, flowing eastward across northern Italy, is the longest river in the country. The delta area, at the end of the Po river located in the Veneto region, has the largest extension of protected wetlands in Italy. Its cycling itineraries and the biodiversity of this territory are recognized by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 2015.

EU-China Tourism Year was launched in Venice in January 2018. The initiative, agreed by the EU and Chinese officials, aims at promoting lesser-known destinations, improving travel and tourism experiences and providing opportunities to increase economic cooperation.