China stands ready to discuss policy interlinks with Italy, further tap cooperation potential on major projects in order to make mutual benefit and win-win cooperation a shining example for China-Italy relations, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang made the remarks while holding a video conference with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio on Wednesday, exchanging views on several issues of common interest.

On bilateral cooperation 

During the meeting, Wang underscored the need to unlock cooperation potential in the fields of digitization, information communication, infrastructure, port construction and third-party markets between the two countries for win-win outcomes.

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China is willing to work with the rest of the world including Italy to jointly build the Silk Road of Health, a global community of health for all, Wang told Di Maio.

In return, Di Maio said Italy will actively participate in the Silk Road of Health as Italy was among the first countries to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.

On China-EU ties 

While holding talks on China-EU relations, Wang pointed out that China and the EU must remain each other's cooperative partners and not become systemic rivals.

We hope the EU side could stand an objective and fair position while handling relations with China, staying alert to certain countries' move to instigate renewed ideological confrontation just for their own profits, Wang continued.

On COVID-19

The two ministers also exchanged views on the fight against COVID-19.

Noting cooperation is the most powerful weapon in the war against the pandemic, Wang called on both sides to seize opportunities created by anti-virus cooperation to take it to the next stage.

Our cooperation in the fight against the pandemic has also set an example for cooperation in the international community – to help each other and overcome our difficulties, Wang said. 

For his part, Di Maio appreciated the medical sources and experts China sent to Italy to combat the pandemic, hailing China's efforts to support world development in the future.

We couldn't win the fight against COVID-19 without support from China, he underlined.

(CGTN's Liu Yang, Bao Hongwei also contributed to the story.)