(Yicai Global) June 26 -- Two Italian police officers and eight of their Shanghai counterparts formed a squad and jointly patrolled the city's downtown Lujiazui financial district this morning.

Their presence drew the gaze of countless residents and tourists alike on the third occasion Italy's finest have walked the Shanghai beat.

Chinese and Italian cops will together keep the peace at various city landmarks, such as Lujiazui, the Bund, Yu Garden, Xintiandi and Jing'an Temple from June 26 to July 5, local news medium Shanghai Observer reported. The Italians will observe how Chinese police deal with conditions and assist them in communicating with Italian tourists.

Eight other law enforcers seconded by Italy's Minister of the Interior will also go out on patrol with their Chinese counterparts at scenic spots in Beijing, Chongqing and Guangzhou.

Exchanges between the two ancient nations have been increasing in recent years. They started the joint police patrols in 2017 to further safeguard the security and interests of the citizens of each abroad. Chinese police have also deployed to the Italian cities of Rome, Milan, Venice and Prato to patrol with local constables and assist them in dealing with the security issues of Chinese in the country.

The Italian officers will strictly obey Chinese laws during their stay, according to the cooperation document the two countries inked. They will carry no weapons or other police equipment and will cooperate with the locals only by offering advice. In the course of these joint patrols, the two sides will also share their work experiences to improve their law enforcement ability and level together.

China will dispatch police to Italy for the fourth time in September to do the rounds with domestic boys and girls in blue in Rome, Milan and two other cities to help them deal with the policing issues of Chinese present in the country.

Editor: Ben Armour