Chinese police officers are starting patrols with their Italian counterparts in Rome and Milan, as part of a two-week experimental project. The patrols are meant to help Chinese tourists and Italy’s growing Chinese community communicate better with authorities. It’s the first agreement of its kind between China and an EU country.  

Chinese police officers are starting patrols with their Italian counterparts in Rome and Milan, as part of a two-week experimental project.

At the famous Coliseum in Rome an unfamiliar sight: Chinese police officers, in uniform, on patrol alongside Italian officers.

It's part of a program designed to make Chinese tourists feel safer when traveling to Italy.

 "Our preliminary patrols will last for two weeks. We will launch police patrols both in Rome and Milan," said Liao Jinrong, China's Ministry of Public Security.

About three million Chinese tourists visited Italy last year, but some travelers feel nervous in an unfamiliar city, especially following the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels.

Chinese police officers are starting patrols with their Italian counterparts in Rome and Milan, as part of a two-week experimental project.

The visiting officers speak Italian and English as well as Mandarin and provide a familiar face for visiting Chinese tourists.

"I think this is a kind of protection for the rights of Chinese citizens and a sign of a powerful country," said a tourist.

Similar programs have been conducted in Italy with police officers from Spain and the United States.  

Officials anticipate sending Italian police to China in the future and say the effort highlights the important ties between the two countries. 

"This program will attract more Chinese tourists to visit Italy, and will provide a strong guarantee for bilateral business cooperation," said Li Ruiyu, Chinese Ambassador to Italy.

Chinese and Italian officials say this program could pave the way for deeper law enforcement and counter terrorism ties between the two countries.