Photo: Screenshot from websitse of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the P.R.China

With the joint efforts of both sides, China-Italy relations have maintained a high level of development and are at the forefront of China-Europe relations, and the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, during recent years, said China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Monday. 

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, attended the 11th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee on Monday. Wang spoke highly of the achievements of China-Italy cooperation in various fields.

The leaders of the two countries have maintained close exchanges, steering the development of bilateral relations and consolidating the foundation of mutual trust. The China-Italy year of culture and tourism has been splendid, with the ancient Roman civilization exhibition attracting over 300,000 Chinese people. The two countries have supported each other in hosting the Beijing and Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and the millennium-old friendship inherited from the ancient silk road remains evergreen, said Wang.

In the past five years, the bilateral trade volume between China and Italy has increased from $50 billion to nearly $80 billion, with Italy's exports to China growing by about 30 percent, noted Wang.

In the face of new situations and opportunities, China is willing to work with Italy to adhere to openness and win-win cooperation, focus on practical cooperation, promote inclusiveness and mutual learning, and push for the greater development of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.

Leveraging platforms such as the China International Import Expo, various high-quality Italian products have entered the Chinese market.

China and Italy are both major global economies, and their cooperation is based on complementary advantages, aiming to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. China and Italy are comprehensive strategic partners, and the bilateral relations go far beyond the bilateral scope, making positive contributions to the development of China-Europe relations and world peace and stability, Wang said during a meeting with Tajani in Beijing on Monday.

Facing challenges and interference in geopolitics and other sectors, China and Italy should align with the correct approach of mutual respect, trust, open cooperation, and equal dialogue, noted Wang.

Italy attaches great importance to the long-term and stable development of its relations with China, and Italy is willing to fully enrich the potential of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Italy and China, adding new connotations to the cooperation between the two countries, Tajani said.

Italy will continue to adhere to the one-China principle, and looks forward to close high-level exchanges and strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various fields with China, Tajani said.

The friendly exchanges between the Italian and Chinese civilizations have a long history. Despite the current turbulence in the international community, Italy-China relations will not be affected, and Italy is willing to play an active role in the development of Europe-China relations, Tajani noted.

There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and Europe. The bilateral cooperation outweighs the differences, and the common interests surpass those differences. China is ready to have candid exchanges with the EU on equal terms. "We appreciate Italy's commitment to an independent foreign policy, and we look forward to Italy continuing to play a constructive role in the development of China-Europe relations," Wang said.