Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday he hopes that the European side will adhere to strategic autonomy, practice true multilateralism and promote the stability and long-term development of China-Europe relations. 

In his phone talk with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, Wang said he also hopes that Italy will play a constructive role in this regard. 

In the face of unprecedented global challenges, all countries should insist on cooperation instead of inciting divisions, respect each other instead of launching political attacks, and shoulder due responsibilities instead of shirking them or shifting blames, he stressed. 

On bilateral ties, Wang said the Chinese side is willing to work with Italy to step up strategic communication, consolidate strategic mutual trust and get rid of all distractions. 

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The Chinese side is willing to conduct closer high-level exchanges, facilitate personnel exchanges and promote the joint Belt and Road construction with Italy, said Wang. 

He also urged the two sides to strengthen cooperation in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, aerospace, clean energy, digital economy and third-party markets and push the mutually beneficial cooperation for more outcomes to jointly inject momentum into the global economic recovery. 

Speaking of the 47th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which opened on Monday, Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that some countries have disregarded basic facts, carried out smear attacks against China and politicized human rights issues. Their acts interfered with the normal agenda of the UNHRC, poisoned international cooperation in the field of human rights and violated the international relations norm of non-interference in internal affairs, and are destined not to succeed, Wang stressed, adding that he believes more countries that uphold justice will also support China's legitimate position at this meeting. 

Di Maio, for his part, said bilateral ties are strong and sustained, just like two friends. Italy is willing to promote the Belt and Road construction with China and enhance cooperation in areas including energy, industry and third-party markets, said the foreign minister. 

In the face of the challenging and complex international situation, Italy is ready to cooperate and communicate with China within the multilateral framework and to practice multilateralism, which will benefit not only the two peoples but also the whole world, said Di Maio.