STORY: Retracing Marco Polo's footsteps in China's Yangzhou
DATELINE: June 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:46
LOCATION: YANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP 1 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent
2. various of Yangzhou and the Marco Polo Memorial Hall
3. STANDUP 2 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BU MINFEI, Director of the management office of Marco Polo Memorial Hall
5. various of the Marco Polo Memorial Hall
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YIN ZEHUA, Visitor
7. STANDUP 3 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent
"Almost every Chinese knows the Italian name Marco Polo. The bond between China and Italy can be traced back seven centuries ago, to the Venetian merchant and explorer and his trailblazing journey to China along the ancient Silk Road.
But not many people know that Marco Polo, who lived in China for about 17 years, was appointed as a local official during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in Yangzhou, a large commercial hub in east China's Jiangsu Province.
Now, I'm just in the city of Yangzhou. And behind me is the Marco Polo Memorial Hall in China. I know that it has been renovated recently. So let's just go inside and explore the lasting legacy of Marco Polo."

Yangzhou residents have a strong impression of Marco Polo. The memorial hall stands in the downtown area of the city, and it showcases Marco Polo's adventure to the mysterious oriental land and his three-year political career in Yangzhou.

The memorial hall reflects the significance of the Italian's travels in terms of cultural, economic, and religious exchanges.

In 2010, Yangzhou began construction of the memorial hall to showcase the friendship and cultural exchanges between China and Italy and preserve Marco Polo's enduring legacy in the city.

Last year, Yangzhou and the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai jointly started a project to upgrade the facility of the memorial hall.

STANDUP 2 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent
"The upgrading project was completed through cooperation between China and Italy. Many Chinese experts and Italian institutions were involved in the project. So what are the features of this memorial hall?"

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BU MINFEI, Director of the management office of Marco Polo Memorial Hall
"The exhibition covers an area of about 500 square meters. Yangzhou is a city by a canal, and Marco Polo left China for his hometown Venice by sea, along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. So the design of the wave-like facade of the memorial hall highlights the elements of the canal and the sea. We also use multimedia, scene reenactment and other display methods to make the exhibition more interesting and interactive."

The memorial hall shows many scenes of Marco Polo's life in Yangzhou.

For example, there is a display that reproduces the ancient bustling Dongguan Pier of the city with advanced technologies.

The memorial hall has also added some new historical facts and cultural relics of Marco Polo.

Several Italian institutions have donated a number of important historical exhibits to the memorial hall recently, including a copy of Marco Polo's will.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YIN ZEHUA, Visitor
"I came to the Marco Polo Memorial Hall with my family. And in the hall, we learned about many of the things that Marco Polo accomplished in China, and about the cultural exchange facilitated by this Italian who once lived here. Living in Yangzhou, we can feel the openness and inclusiveness of the city, and it makes us proud."

STANDUP 3 (English): HE LEIJING, Xinhua correspondent
"China and Italy are both ancient civilizations and have a long tradition of friendship and exchanges. Marco Polo's famous travelogue has served as a cultural bridge between the East and the West. And I believe more and more people would like to follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo to encourage cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yangzhou, China.
(XHTV)