China, Italy to establish regular PM dialogue mechanism

China and Italy will establish a regular dialogue mechanism between the prime ministers of the two countries, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

Li announced the mechanism when meeting his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni, who was in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation from Sunday to Monday.

Li said China is willing to enhance cooperation with Italy in key areas and deepen mutual trust. He said China will work hard to implement the three-year cooperation agreement starting from this year, expecting tangible advancement by 2020, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ties.

During the meeting, Li also expressed China’s willingness to advance cooperation with Italy in innovation and called for wider cooperation among small businesses, as China is pursuing innovation-driven development.

China is willing to take part in Italy’s infrastructure program, such as ports, to improve connectivity between China and Europe, Li said.

Gentiloni said Italy is willing to work hard to implement the three-year agreement between Italy and China, and improve cooperation with China in developing small- and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture and port construction.

He also said that Italy welcomes tourists and students from China, and is ready to facilitate related visa procedures.

Also on Tuesday, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of deals in agriculture and the finance sector.