Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Beijing on Saturday, marking a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding ties between China and Italy.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership, both leaders expressed a strong commitment to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Premier Li highlighted the “healthy and stable development” of China-Italy relations, emphasizing that “exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been deepened and new practical results have been achieved.”
“China is ready to work with Italy to carry forward our traditional friendship,” Li stated. “We aim to strengthen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation and push bilateral relations to a higher level.”
The discussions focused on enhancing two-way opening-up and improving bilateral trade and investment facilitation. Premier Li underscored the importance of expanding cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, fostering innovation, and advancing green development initiatives. “We hope to create new growth points of cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and jointly promote development and prosperity,” he said.
Li welcomed increased Italian investment in China and expressed hope that Italy would provide a “fair, safe and non-discriminatory business environment” for Chinese companies operating in Italy.
Cultural exchange was also a key topic, with both sides agreeing to implement outcomes from the meeting of the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism. Premier Li called for deeper cooperation in culture, tourism, media, education, and local affairs to “better promote people-to-people exchanges.”
On a broader scale, Li affirmed China’s willingness to strengthen communication and cooperation with Italy to jointly promote “the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.”
President Mattarella echoed these sentiments, asserting Italy’s strong emphasis on developing friendly relations with China. He expressed enthusiasm for implementing the “important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries” and deepening practical cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, small and medium-sized enterprises, green development, and climate change.
“We look forward to strengthening exchanges and mutual learning in culture, education, and other fields,” Mattarella said. “Together, we can push for sustained and in-depth development of our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
The meeting signifies a mutual dedication to fostering closer ties and highlights the pivotal role both nations play in regional and global affairs.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
