Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks in Chinese capital Beijing on Sunday and witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements in areas including industry, education, environmental protection, geographical indications and food safety.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership. Li highlighted China's readiness to work closely with Italy to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen the long-standing friendship and enhance cooperation across various sectors to benefit both peoples and contribute to global peace and development.

Li emphasized the importance of further strengthening political mutual trust and steering bilateral relations towards a more mature and stable direction. He called for the expansion and optimization of bilateral trade and encouraged deeper cooperation in fields such as shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy and artificial intelligence, with a special focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises.

In celebration of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, China plans to collaborate with Italy on a series of cultural activities, deepening exchanges in art, film, television and education, he added. 

Li also expressed China's support for Chinese companies investing in Italy and urged Italy to provide a fair and welcoming business environment for these enterprises and facilitate travel for Chinese citizens.

The Chinese premier underscored that protectionism hinders competitiveness and that openness and cooperation are the keys to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. He called on the EU to view China's development objectively and rationally, maintain China as a partner and commit to dialogue and cooperation for the steady development of China-EU relations, addressing global challenges together.

Meloni affirmed Italy's commitment to developing long-term, stable and positive relations with China. She expressed Italy's readiness to deepen practical cooperation in areas including economy, trade, investment, industry, science and technology, and culture.

Italy aims to build a bridge of friendship, explore new cooperation opportunities, unleash the potential for collaboration, and further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, said Meloni. She also emphasized Italy's readiness to facilitate candid dialogue between the EU and China and to foster a more stable and cooperative relationship.

(With input from Xinhua)