Li Xiang, a 28-year-old officer from Xi'an, studied the Italian language for four years and was on his third trip to Italy. He said he first became interested in Italian culture as a boy because of soccer, and he said he counts himself as a fan of the AC Milan soccer team.

"These cooperative exchanges are important as a way to enforce the law and to learn and build ties with colleagues from other countries," Li said.

Zhang Hailin, another officer from Guangzhou, agreed: "To be selected for this program and to travel here is a great honor," he told Xinhua.

Notwithstanding the musical band on horseback, the singer, the officers in the cooperation program, and the high-level dignitaries at Piazza Navona, the biggest attraction was probably two high-end sports cars used as police vehicles: a Lamborghini and a Lotus Evora.

Dozens of tourists -- including several from China -- waited in line to pose for pictures next to the Lamborghini and the Lotus Evora, as well as the uniformed officers safeguarding them.

Italians at the event said they enjoyed the cultural value of the event.

Annalisa Mancini, a 47-year-old school teacher from Brindisi, southern Italy, was in Rome with a group of students.

"Ceremonies like this are very beautiful," Mancini said in an interview. "When you see two cultures together like this, it's a good reminder that there is more to the world than what we see around us. I told the students this shows we are part of a big and diverse world."