'China ready to work with Italy'

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, and the two countries plan to expand pragmatic cooperation and increase economic and cultural exchanges.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning noted China and Italy "are ancient civilizations and important economies in the world", and that their friendly cooperation enjoys profound public support while promoting the sound growth of relations between China and the European Union, as well as the stability and prosperity of the global community.

Mao said the visits by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella this year underscore the robust growth of China-Italy relations, adding:"Guided by the common understandings of the leaders of the two countries, China stands ready to work with Italy to further deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and provide more stability for a changing and turbulent world."

Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister, stated in September that dialogue, friendship and cooperation with China is beneficial, positive and necessary for both Italy and the EU. At a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Rome to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, Salvini said the increasingly tense geopolitical situation and global challenges require countries to strengthen communication and engage in diverse forms of cooperation. He added that Italy and China can use their wisdom to jointly promote global peace, stability and sustainable development.

Currently, Italy is China's fourth-largest trading partner in the EU, and China is Italy's largest trading partner in Asia. Their bilateral trade volume was about $71.76 billion in 2023, with China importing more than $27.23 billion and exporting about $44.52 billion.

In 2014, cultural ministries from the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a cooperation mechanism, and the first plenary for the mechanism took place in 2017. There are currently 88 pairings of friendship provinces, cities and regions between China and Italy.