Premier Li calls for expanded ties between China and Italy

Premier Li Qiang on Saturday underlined the need for China and Italy to expand bilateral trade, and enhance dialogue and cooperation to promote mutual development and prosperity.

During a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in New Delhi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Li also called on the two countries to strengthen communication and coordination within the G20 to jointly safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Li emphasized that a healthy and stable China-Italy relationship is in line with the common interests of both countries and also answers the call for better development for them.

Noting next year marks the 20th anniversary of the countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, the premier said that China is willing to take the anniversary as an opportunity to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Italy, make good use of cooperation mechanisms such as the meeting of the China-Italy Intergovernmental Committee to enhance the level of their cooperation.

China will further open up its market to create more opportunities for high-quality Italian products to enter the Chinese market, Li said. He expressed the hope that Italy will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies to invest and do business in the country.

Meloni said that Italy and China are both ancient civilizations, and the friendship and exchanges between the two countries have a long history.

Italy welcomes the successful convening of the meeting of the China-Italy Intergovernmental Committee, which brought together foreign ministers of the two countries on Monday, she said.

Italy is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogues with China under the bilateral framework, promoting further deepening of cooperation between the two countries, she added.