ROME - Police officers and dignitaries from China and Italy -- as well as hundreds of photo-snapping passersby -- were in Rome's picturesque Piazza Navona Monday for an ornate ceremony held to symbolically mark the start of the third year of law enforcement cooperation between the two countries.

The ten Chinese police officers on hand in Rome will also travel to Milan, Venice, and Prato, the Tuscan city that has the largest Chinese population in Italy. A similar ceremony will take place in September in Beijing.

Li Ruiyu, Chinese ambassador to Italy, Prefect Nicolo Marcello D'Angelo, and Paolo D'Ambola, director of the service for international police cooperation, were present at the ceremony that featured Italian corps of horseback musicians.

After the ceremony, D'Angelo praised the China-Italy program that was launched in 2016, and said it was important to commemorate international cooperation efforts with ceremonies like the one here today.

"These kinds of cooperation programs are becoming more important and it is a symbolic way to celebrate them by gathering in one of the most beautiful squares under the sun in this city," D'Angelo told Xinhua. "Our two countries will only grow closer over time. We are like a big family."

Some of the Chinese officers on hand for the ceremony prepared for years.