President of China Media Group Shen Haixiong (4th L) and President of the Italian Football Association Gabriele Gravina (2nd L) at a signing ceremony in Rome on March 24, 2019. [Photo: CMG]

The China Media Group (CMG) and Italian soccer federation have started their all-round strategic cooperation in soccer.

CMG President Shen Haixiong on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gabriele Gravina, president of Italian soccer federation, to launch the soccer cooperation that Serie A matches are expected to enter China in the next three years.

The two sides will jointly carry out initiatives to organize training, club managerial sessions, and friendly matches for soccer talents.

Also, they will launch cooperation in digital and product development to benefit soccer clubs and fans from both countries.

As Italy joins the Belt and Road Initiative, the soccer cooperation between China and Italy will start a new era for the two countries in cultural and sports exchanges, Shen said.

CMG will fully support Chinese soccer's international events as the sport serves as a driving force for the development of bilateral relations, Shen commented.

"This is historic and meaningful cooperation," Gravina said.

Soccer, as a bridge of different cultures, can play its role in bringing a closer relationship between Chinese and Italian people, added the federation president.