[Overview] Rome is the capital of Italy as well as the country's political, economic, cultural and transportation center. It is located in the middle of the Italian Peninsula. The Tiber River passes through the city. It covers an area of 1,287 square kilometers and has a population of about 2.87 million.

[Politics] The city council is the highest administrative body of Rome. It consists of 48 members elected for a term of five years. The City Commission, the executive body of the city, is composed of a mayor, a deputy mayor, and 11 commissioners in charge of different fields. The mayor is elected by popular vote for a term of five years, and has the power to appoint deputy mayors and committee members. The incumbent Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, took office in June 2016.

[Economy] Services industries, especially tourism and finance, are the pillar industries of Rome. Industrial activities are mainly concentrated in the fields of communications, medicine and food processing. Rome is also a well-known fashion and design capital. With good weather conditions and well-preserved historical monuments, the city has become an important center for the film and television industry.

[Culture and Education] Rome is a world-renowned historical and cultural city and the birthplace of the ancient Roman Empire. It is hailed as the world's largest open-air history museum. Famous sites to visit in Rome include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum. There are many universities and art colleges in the city, including the Sapienza University of Rome.

[Relations with Beijing] On May 28, 1998, Beijing and Rome officially became sister cities. The relationship between the two cities has developed smoothly since then.

Tourism: In 2012, Rome joined the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) which was established on the initiative of Beijing. In December 2016, then Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development organized activities such as Beijing Tourism Resource Promotion Event and Beijing Food Day in Rome, receiving positive response from local people.

Culture: In October 2011, Beijing presented Charming Beijing activities within the framework of Rome's Silk Road Expo, as part of Italy's Year of Chinese Culture event. In February 2013, Beijing staged Chinese New Year celebrations in Rome to mark the 15th anniversary of the sisterhood between the two cities and promote the diplomatic relations between our two countries.