Italian Ambassador to China Alberto Bradanini. Photo: Courtesy of the Italian Embassy

In his government work report presented on March 5, Premier Li Keqiang discussed the government's recent achievements and highlighted the issues and plans that will be at the core of its action in 2015, with a special focus on innovation and reform. Within this context, particularly interesting is the expected progress in fields such as the environment, agriculture/food safety, health and sustainable urbanization, where friendly countries can also be called upon to play an important role.

Italy salutes the Chinese government's efforts directed at improving the living standards of Chinese citizens and is ready to provide skills and technological expertise in these areas, where I believe we can establish an effective and mutually beneficial collaboration with China.

We are also following very closely the developments on the economic front, especially the current round of market reforms, which could pave the way not only for a general advancement of the population's welfare but also to increase opportunities for Beijing's foreign partners, both in terms of investments and trade flows.

I am impressed by the attention that Premier Li gave to some crucial matters such as employment and social protection (healthcare, education and pension treatment), sustainable development and environmental concerns. These are all issues that have a significant impact on the wellbeing of the people and represent important challenges to which, nonetheless, I am sure the Chinese authorities will be able to find adequate answers to.

The author is the Italian Ambassador to China