China-Italy exchanges, cooperation inject vitality into bilateral ties

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.

Since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1970, China and Italy have deepened cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, and science and technology, laying a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations.

In recent years, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges and political mutual trust has been continuously strengthened.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is paying an official visit to China from July 27 to 31. 

During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Meloni. Premier Li and Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will hold talks and meet with her to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

Positive momentum of cooperation

Economic and trade cooperation has always been an important pillar of China-Italy relations. Italy is China's fourth largest trading partner in the EU, and China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia.

In the first quarter of this year, the total import and export trade between China and Italy increased four percent year on year, demonstrating strong resilience.

Meanwhile, bilateral cooperation in fields such as high-end manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace, digital intelligence and medicine and health has been fruitful, showing broad prospects.

Italy has been invited to serve as the guest country of honor for many prominent exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Consumer Products Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), aiming to further explore the Chinese market and share the dividends of development.

"China is a crucial market for Italy," said Antonio Majocchi, a business professor at Rome LUISS University, adding that through mutual opening up and investment, China and Italy can achieve a win-win cooperation.

Building bridge of mutual understanding

People-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Italy have built a bridge of mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The number of Chinese students in Italy and Italian students in China continue to grow, and the craze for learning the Chinese language continues to flourish in Italy.

Following the successful hosting of the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism in 2022, the two countries have cooperated in holding a series of cultural events this year to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the passing of Marco Polo, the 13th-century explorer who traveled along the ancient Silk Road to China, affirming the significance of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The two sides have cooperated to establish 12 Confucius Institutes and 39 Confucius Classrooms in Italy. To date, China and Italy have established 86 pairs of sister provinces, cities and regions.

In addition, China has implemented and extended relevant visa-free policies for many European countries including Italy, which has brought practical convenience to Italian citizens going to China for business, tourism, family visits and other exchange activities.