Chinese Premier and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni Vow to Enhance Cooperation

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday, with both leaders committing to bolstering pragmatic cooperation between their countries. The meeting comes as China and Italy celebrate the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Premier Li expressed China’s readiness to work with Italy to implement the significant consensus reached by the leaders of both nations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their longstanding friendship. He highlighted the potential for advancing exchanges and cooperation in various sectors, ultimately benefiting both peoples and contributing to global peace and development.

China aims to strengthen political mutual trust with Italy, pushing bilateral relations toward a more mature and stable direction. Premier Li called for expanding bilateral trade, optimizing trade structures, and enhancing cooperation in fields such as shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy, artificial intelligence, and among small and medium-sized enterprises.

In commemoration of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, China and Italy plan to host a series of activities to deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation in art, film and television, education, and other areas. Premier Li also expressed China’s support for Chinese companies investing in Italy, urging Italy to provide a fair, safe, and non-discriminatory business environment for these companies and to facilitate travel for Chinese citizens.

Premier Li stressed that protectionism is not conducive to competitiveness, advocating for openness and cooperation as the paths to mutual benefits and win-win results. He called on the European Union to view China’s development objectively and rationally, continuing to see China as a partner committed to dialogue and cooperation to promote stable China-EU relations and jointly address global challenges.

Prime Minister Meloni affirmed Italy’s commitment to developing long-term, stable, and sound relations with China. She expressed Italy’s willingness to deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade, investment, industry, science and technology, and culture.

Italy aims to build a bridge of friendship, explore new avenues for cooperation, unlock potential collaboration, and foster a closer cooperative relationship with China. Prime Minister Meloni also stated Italy’s readiness to play a positive role in candid dialogue between the EU and China, promoting a more stable cooperative relationship.