Italy Monday opened its consulate-general in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province and a business and commercial hub in south China.

Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini attended the opening ceremony of the consulate-general Monday morning.

In his meeting with Dini at noon, Guangdong Governor Lu Ruihua said that the opening of the new consulate-general will help boost the personal exchanges and trade cooperation, as well as the cultural, educational and scientific and technological exchanges, between this economically thriving province and Italy.

Dini arrived in Guangzhou Sunday at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan for a three-day working visit. He is scheduled to fly to Beijing late today to continue his China trip.