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The Michelin Guide released its 2021 edition focusing on Italy Wednesday, crowning three new two-star restaurants while 26 eateries have earned a star for the first time.

Additionally, seven Chinese restaurants were recommended as "noteworthy" by what is considered the world's most famous restaurant guide.

Italy now boasts 403 restaurants earning at least one Michelin star, the highest number ever recorded for the country. With that total, Italy is behind only France and Japan in terms of the number of Michelin-starred entities within its borders, Michelin officials said Wednesday.

Marco Do, the communications manager for Michelin's Italian guide, said the guide executives considered postponing the release of the 2021 edition until after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

"We wondered if we should close our eyes and wait for everything to pass," Do said in a webcast ceremony marking the release of the guide. "We decided to keep our eyes open, continue our work, and present the guide to the public."

The number of three-star restaurants -- the most exclusive category -- was unchanged in Italy, at 11. But the country added three new two-star properties in Trieste, Florence, and Cornaredo, just outside Milan. There were also 26 new one-star restaurants, bringing the total of one-star properties to 355.

The guide also recommends other high-level restaurants that do not merit a Michelin star. That list will include seven Chinese restaurants in the 2021 guide, the highest number on record. The recommended Chinese restaurants in the new guide are Ba, Bon Wei, Dim Sum, Gong, and Mu Dimsum in Milan, plus Green T. in Rome, and Kanton Restaurant in Capriate San Gervasio, near Bergamo in northern Italy.

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn