Accompanied by a large delegation of entrepreneurs and musicians, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi's visit to southern China has been dominated by trade and cultural activities.

Prodi arrived in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday afternoon and he will open the China-Italy Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Fair on Friday.

"I have looked forward to visiting Guangdong for a long time," Prodi said, hailing Guangdong as the gateway for Italy and other European countries to access the Chinese market.

Now Italy would like to become "the gateway for China to enter the market of the European Union," he said.

Invited by Premier Wen Jiabao, Prodi's six-day official visit is the first top-level one from Italy since the former Italian president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, made a visit in December 2004.

Prodi's visit comes during the China-Italy year, which involves a wide range of activities on trade, culture and science.

"Italy and China should take more measures to encourage cooperation between SMEs," said Prodi.

Among Prodi's entourage were senior trade officials and over 100 entrepreneurs in finance, industry and trade.

During the upcoming SME fair, the Italian entrepreneurs will have in-depth discussions with their Chinese counterparts. Hundreds of companies will showcase their work and products.

Prodi also brought an orchestra to play in Guangdong.

The trip will take Prodi to the port city of Tianjin, the eastern city of Nanjing as well as Shanghai and Beijing.

Source: Xinhua