China and Italy Pledge to Bolster Bilateral Cooperation under the Silk Road Spirit

• Italy is willing to carry forward the Silk Road spirit, develop a closer and higher-level partnership with China: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
• China and Italy should uphold and promote the Silk Road spirit, view and develop bilateral relations from a historical dimension: Chinese President Xi Jinping
• China and Italy adopt Action Plan to strengthen the Global Strategic Partnership (2024-2027) was adopted, a
• China and Italy sign six agreements regarding industrial collaboration, protection of geographical indications, food security, the environment, and education.
• Italy-China Business Forum, held in Beijing, was attended by more than 100 Italian and Chinese companies and trade associations.
• To mark the travels of Marco Polo, and its legacy between East and West’, an exhibition themed ‘A journey of knowledge was held at the Beijing World Art Museum.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Beijing: China and Italy, as the eastern and western ends of ancient Silk Road, should carry forward the Silk Road spirit for the peaceful development, stated Chinese President Xi Jinping in his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beijing on Monday.

“The Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is a shared treasure of China and Italy,” Xi further added while highlighting the cultural linkages between two ancient civilisations.

The President of the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China from 28 to 31 July. Italy left Belt and Road Initiative, a global development project that aims to build transport and digital infrastructure to link Asia, Africa and Europe

Also, the Italian prime minister’s visit China, the world’s second largest economy, aims to “create trade relations that are as balanced as possible”.

China and Italy should uphold and promote the Silk Road spirit, view and develop bilateral relations from a historical dimension, strategic height and long-term perspective, and push their relations to go steady and far, President Xi told Meloni.

“China and Italy are at the two ends of the ancient Silk Road”, Xi said the time-honored friendly exchanges between the two countries have made significant contributions to overall exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilisations and to the progress of humanity.

On the significance of connectivity, Xi said “amid accelerating global changes unseen in a century, countries will either progress together through connectivity and unity or retreat separately through closure and division”.

In her remarks during the meeting with President Xi, Meloni said Italy is willing to carry forward the Silk Road spirit, develop a closer and higher-level partnership with China to open up a new chapter in the Italy-China comprehensive strategic partnership and make new contributions to world peace and progress.

Highlighting the China’s role for global peace and development, she said “the current international situation has been evolving profoundly, and China, as a major power, has an irreplaceable role in addressing global challenges”.

Italy attaches great importance to China’s international status and role, she added.

• Italy and China pledge to bolster cooperation

Xi expressed hope that Italy will understand and support China’s development philosophy, and play a constructive role in advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and the European Union and promoting the positive and stable development of China-EU relations.

During the meeting, Meloni said Italy opposes “de-coupling” in global supply chains and protectionism, and is willing to play an active role in promoting deeper and more practical relations between the EU and China, said Meloni.

Giorgia Meloni meets with the Chinese Premier, Li Qiang

Giorgia Meloni also met with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, in Beijing.

The meeting focused on bilateral relations, in a year that marks two decades of the Global Strategic Partnership between Italy and China as well as the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo.

The two Heads of Government discussed how to foster balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade and reciprocal investments, strengthen scientific and cultural collaboration, and ensure constructive dialogue in all areas of common interest.

They also addressed the management of major global challenges, from artificial intelligence to climate change, agreeing on the need to define common and shared solutions.

China and Italy joint action plan to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership between 2024 and 2027

On Monday, China and Italy also issued a joint action plan to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership between 2024 and 2027.

On the occasion of the meeting, an Action Plan to strengthen the Global Strategic Partnership (2024-2027) was adopted, and six agreements were signed regarding industrial collaboration, protection of geographical indications, food security, the environment, and education.

The two leaders also officially opened the seventh edition of the Italy-China Business Forum, in the presence of more than 100 Italian and Chinese companies and trade associations.

On Sunday 28, President Meloni addressed the Italy-China Business Forum in Beijing. During the event, which saw the participation of more than 100 Italian and Chinese companies and trade associations.

President Meloni and the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, also attended the signing ceremony for agreements between the two countries.

The exhibition at Beijing World Art Museum showcases the Travels of Marco Polo

On Monday 29, President Meloni attended the exhibition ‘A journey of knowledge. The expo showcased the Travels of Marco Polo and its legacy between East and West’ at the Beijing World Art Museum.