(May 11, 2017) A real success achieved by #Italiantaste, the photo competition created and launched by the Italian Embassy in Beijing for the Chinese audience, who, through the theme of cuisine and good food, has presented 'Italy to millions of Chinese "netizens". The numbers are there to prove it: nearly 16 million views, over 900 photos received, more than 50,000 votes through Wechat, China's most popular social media. The three winners - the Beijing Hou WenWen and Liao Ziwei and Shanghaiese Xia Jie - awarded today by the Italian Ambassador in China, Ettore Sequi, won an all-inclusive package in Sardinia worth 58,000 RMB ( About 8 thousand euros) and two supplies of certified Italian food and wine products worth 5000 RMB (670 euros) and 3500 RMB (470 euros) offered by sponsors Voglia d'Italia, 100ITA and CruiItaly. "Food is synonymous with culture, territory, traditions, but also health, sustainability, quality of life. Cuisine tells about a people and their way of living as art and history do and is an extraordinary tool for promoting mutual knowledge among peoples and people - emphasized Ambassador Ettore Sequi. As China is talking about new Silk Roads and renewed material and immaterial connections, we support the idea of a silk road of mutual knowledge by promoting our cuisine and Chinese tourism in Italy. The extraordinary numbers of this edition have shown that there is a great demand for Italy in China, which is just waiting to be satisfied", concluded the Ambassador. (Red)

ABOUT / THE COMPETITION

The photo contest #Italiantaste, launched at the end of the first week of Italian cooking in China and focused on the theme of Italian food, was opened from December 6, 2016 to February 28, 2017. The Chinese audience was invited to send the best shots showing Italian cuisine dishes through the social platform weibo, with the ashtag #Italianaste. A qualified jury then selected the 30 best shots that the audience could vote to determine the final winners.