CHONGQING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The police in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality launched a joint patrol with their Italian counterparts on Wednesday, according to local police.

This was the first time that Chongqing police launched the joint patrol with foreign counterparts.

Four Chinese police officers who were fluent in English and Italian joined the patrol with two Italian police officers. Patrolling in popular tourist spots in the municipality, the Italian police officers will help deal with the issues related to Italian tourists during the 10-day joint patrol.

The Italian police have sent eight police officers to patrol with Chinese counterparts in four Chinese cities from June 24 to July 5.