A girl performs a folk dance during the opening ceremony of the Silk Road Stories program on board the Majestic Princess cruise ship in Rome, Italy, on May 21, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zheng said the program is a creative way to enhance trust and communication between peoples along the contemporary Silk Road.

It is also a good example of the development of the relationship between China and Italy, injecting new energy into the people-to-people exchanges within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, she added.

As the massive vessel set sail, a group of 24 Chinese children performed a unique folk dance.

The performance was the first in the Silk Road Stories program.

"The children were quite passionate - they put a lot of expression into it," said an Australian woman passenger who watched the show. "The expressions they had on their faces - it was lovely."

David Dingle, who flew in from London for the opening ceremony, said: "It is principally through cultural understanding that we bring peace and prosperity to our world."