Chinese President Xi Jinping told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Tuesday that China will support Italy in holding a successful G20 summit in October.

President Xi said during a phone conversation with the Italian prime minister that China appreciates Italy's proactive promotion of cooperation on global public health and economy as it takes the presidency of the G20 this year. 

With both the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economy at a critical point, the G20 should adhere to genuine multilateralism, carry forward the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, and build a greater consensus on combating COVID-19, recovering the world economy and promoting an inclusive and sustainable development so as to set the right direction for global governance and make joint efforts to address common challenges, Xi said.  

He also said that China is ready to work with Italy to help the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries develop in the right direction.  
Both sides should respect each other, safeguard their friendship, deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, and set an example for others on how to develop relations between countries with different systems and cultures, Xi said.  

He added it is hoped that Italy can play an active role in promoting a healthy and stable relationship between China and Europe.

Xi also said China and Italy should jointly ensure the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism slated for 2022 is a success, adding that the two countries should firmly support each other in successfully hosting the next Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022 and Milan-Cortina in 2026, and take the events as opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in winter sports and related industries.

Draghi said that Italy's relations with China have enjoyed sound development and his country attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with China.  

The Italian side appreciates the positive efforts and contributions China has made to address global climate change, and values China's influence on the issue of Afghanistan, he said.  

Draghi added that Italy hopes to communicate and cooperate closely with China under such multilateral frameworks as the G20. 

The G20 summit will be held in Rome October 30-31 with heads of state and of the government from the group's members due to attend.