Relaunching Sino-Italian relationship: What lies ahead?

Editor's note: Federica Russo, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, works in the executive search sector, helping companies globally find top leaders who can contribute to their strategic missions, with particular attention to the energy sector. She has also worked in consulting, focusing on how Sino-European and Sino-American relations could impact international business. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Every time I returned to China, I was surprised. The landscapes and skies I left behind on previous trips were never the same. It's clear how the cities, the economy, and even society itself evolves at a fast pace, leaving a curious observer like me astonished under the shadows of newly built skyscrapers, inside mega malls where you can find any international brand you seek, or in line somewhere using the latest advanced technologies to book a visit, manage an appointment, or complete a transaction.

It's a reality that one cannot ignore, where past, present, and future merge all at once, creating a complex – and maybe sometimes contradictory – environment that, however, clearly shows the world its own importance.

It was 2019 when I was writing about how Italy, the country where I come from, and China, the country I often considered a second home, could have benefited from strengthening their ties under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). That same year, indeed, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to enhance dialogue between Rome and Beijing on a number of crucial topics – from financial and commercial cooperation to investments in transportation and logistics, as well as cultural exchanges. It was a promising start that, unfortunately, didn't evolve significantly afterward. The pandemic, the economic crisis, the instability of the Italian government, and the tensions characterizing the wider geopolitical chessboard didn't play in favor of the development of the Sino-Italian relationship.

On July 27, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni embarked on a significant trip to China. The leader of the European country has shown a pragmatic approach that does not want to – and cannot – ignore the importance of the relationship between Rome and Beijing, despite the political diatribes that have, in recent years, caused the broader Sino-European and Sino-American ties to oscillate.

Taking a step forward for Italy to write a new chapter with China was necessary to foster the ground for new forms of collaboration in addressing the most critical issues affecting the stability and security of the international arena. It is during these turbulent times that nations must go beyond political or geoeconomic barriers to establish effective communication channels and cooperation mechanisms that benefit their own economies and society at large. With openness and respect, despite differing views and approaches that may still exist in some areas, messages of moderation must prevail.

2024 is also an important year in the context of this meeting. It marks the 20th anniversary of the Sino-Italian comprehensive strategic partnership and the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer we all appreciate for his significant contribution, centuries ago, to establishing the first forms of relationships between Beijing and Rome along the Silk Road. In fact, no occasion could have been better to relaunch bilateral relations through the signing of a new three-year plan, which, as Meloni said, would experiment with forms of collaboration. For example, the MoU aims to boost joint work within strategic industrial sectors such as renewable energies and electric mobility.

Meloni has always been known for wanting to protect Italy's national interest, probably much more than her predecessors. However, even leaders who have always taken strong positions like hers could no longer deny how important it is to stabilize relations with a giant like China, which has acquired a significant sphere of economic and diplomatic influence over the years. A new turning point was required, and as a leader should, she prioritized a realistic, logical strategy rather than standing inflexibly in her position.

China has often been seen by Western political stakeholders through old stereotypes that never really matched its transforming reality. Continuing on this track won't be beneficial for any party involved. What lies ahead should certainly be characterized by the keyword "progress," and this should not be intended only at the level of economic partnership but also in terms of the mentality with which Beijing is seen, considered, and approached.

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