China, Italy to advance bilateral ties to a higher level

World
Europe

01:24

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, pledging to advance bilateral ties to a higher level.

Conte said Italy pays high attention to its relationship with China, vowing to further expand cooperation in new areas.

Italy also attaches great importance to the cooperation under the frame of the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to make joint efforts with China to continuously cultivate new growth points for bilateral cooperation, Conte added.

Wang Yi welcomed Italy to continue to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, stressing that China's opening-up will bring more opportunities.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (R) shakes hands with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Roma, Italy, January 26, 2019. /Chinese MOFA Photo

The two sides agreed to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang Yi, who is visiting Rome for the ninth joint meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee, has also met with Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, and next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations, Wang noted, expressing the hope that both sides seize the opportunity.

China has been expanding its opening-up, and its market potential has been steadily released, which will bring significant opportunities to various countries including Italy, Wang said.

As the Chinese and Italian economies are highly complementary, Wang said China is willing to encourage qualified Chinese companies to invest in Italy and believes Italy will provide them with a fair commercial environment.

Moavero Milanesi praised China's investment and assistance in Africa, believing that it is conducive to promoting Africa's development.

He added Italy is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international and regional affairs, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.

During the ninth joint meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee Wang and Moavero Milanesi agreed to understand and support each other and establish a long-lasting comprehensive strategic partnership regardless of how the international situation changes.

Wang noted China-Italy ties should be set up as a model of harmonious coexistence and common development of countries with different civilizations and systems, and provide constructive solutions to common problems facing the international community.

Moavero Milanesi expressed that Italy is full of confidence in the development of Sino-Italian relations and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, innovation, culture and other fields to build closer relations with China.

(With inputs from Xinhua)