China and Italy agreed to hold Italian Culture Year in China in 2006, according to a MOU signed Monday in Beijing.

Chinese Cultural Minister Sun Jiazheng and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini signed the MOU in the Great Hall of the People.

Li Shaoping, an official with the Chinese Cultural Ministry, said varieties of activities will be held during the Italian Culture year. The MOU is a framework document, and the two sides will specify the details of the culture year.

Sun and Fini also signed Sino-Italian cultural cooperation plan from 2004 to 2007, covering culture, education, sports and book publication.

Fini is accompanying Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on a China visit.