Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday evening.
Xi noted that in recent years, China and Italy have worked hand in hand to fight COVID-19, and held events as part of the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism. in both countries, as well as the exhibition entitled “Tota Italia: the origins of a nation” in China, highlighting the friendship and exchanges between the two countries.
As two ancient civilizations, China and Italy are comprehensive strategic partners that share broad common interests and a deep basis for cooperation, Xi said.
It is important for the two countries to continue the tradition of friendship, understand and support each other’s core interests and major concerns, seek common ground while putting aside differences, expand consensus and to set an example of relations between countries with different social systems and cultural backgrounds, said the Chinese president.
Xi said he hoped the two sides would use the China-Italy Governmental Committee and dialogue mechanisms in different sectors to explore the potential for cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacturing, energy own, aviation and aerospace and in third-party markets.
China promotes high-level opening-up and will import more quality products from Italy, Xi said, adding that China will welcome Italy as guest of honor at the International Consumer Products Expo. of China 2023.
The two sides should take advantage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to strengthen cooperation in winter sports and related industries, Xi said.
China will continue to strengthen communications and coordination with Italy within the Group of 20 (G20) and other multilateral platforms, so as to deepen solidarity and cooperation, uphold genuine multilateralism, and respond together. economic and other major global challenges, he continued.
Under current circumstances, steadily advancing China-EU relations is of great importance, Xi said, adding that he hoped Italy would play an important role in promoting engagement. of the EU in favor of an independent and positive policy towards China.
For her part, Ms. Meloni said she was happy to have this opportunity to meet with Mr. Xi.
Italy and China are both ancient civilizations, and they enjoy a long tradition of friendship and exchanges, Meloni said, adding that the Italian side is glad to see the organization of the events of the ‘Year of Culture and Tourism, and that it stands ready to continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and culture.
She said Italy does not approve of bloc confrontation, and believes countries should respect their differences and disagreements, enhance solidarity, maintain dialogue and exchanges, and improve mutual understanding.
China is a major country and Asia is becoming increasingly important to the world, Meloni said, adding that Italy hopes to work closely with China in the United Nations, G20 and other frameworks to deal more effectively with the various pressing challenges facing the world.
Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and He Lifeng, among others, also attended the meeting.