In order to promote Italian tourism in one of the most dynamic and populous regions of China, a new Italian Visa Application Centre was opened in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei. The head of the Italian Embassy Consular Office in Beijing, Eugenio Poti, attended the ceremony. He remarked on the progress that has been made in welcoming Chinese tourists in recent years, including the speed at which visas applications have been handled. He was very happy to note that it takes just 36 hours, which is very fast for Schengen countries. He also referred to an innovative project that involves the joint patrol by Italian and Chinese police of the main tourist locations in the two countries to protect the safety of travellers. The main Chinese tour operators took part in the opening, along with numerous local media organisations, which assured excellent visibility.
The new Visa Application Centre is in an easily-accessible area in the same building as a metro stop, which links the centre to the main districts of Wuhan, a city of 10 million people, and the airport.
