In a bid to bolster their longstanding friendship and elevate bilateral cooperation, the foreign ministers of China and Italy, Wang Yi and Antonio Tajani, convened at the 11th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee in Beijing on Monday. This crucial meeting comes as Italy’s Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Tajani, embarks on an official visit to China, demonstrating the shared commitment to enhancing their partnership. With their discussions spanning various facets of collaboration, this gathering holds significant promise for both nations.
Celebrating Past Achievements
Amid the lush backdrop of the 11th Joint Meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi lauded the impressive milestones achieved in the multifaceted collaboration between China and Italy. The leaders of these two nations have maintained a robust dialogue, fostering the growth of their bilateral relations while building a solid foundation of mutual trust. One standout achievement has been the successful China-Italy year of culture and tourism, highlighted by the enthralling ancient Roman civilization exhibition, which captivated the hearts of over 300,000 Chinese visitors.
Transitioning from pleasantries to policy, Wang Yi underscored that the cooperative spirit extended to support for major sporting events, such as the Beijing and Milan Winter Olympics, as well as the fruitful progress under the Belt and Road Initiative. Remarkably, the past five years have witnessed a substantial surge in the bilateral trade volume, soaring from $50 billion to nearly $80 billion, while Italy’s exports to China surged by an impressive 30 percent. This success, as Wang Yi emphasized, is a testament to their unwavering commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Strengthening the Foundations of Trust
In the backdrop of a world grappling with instability and uncertainty, Wang Yi voiced a resounding call for mutual respect, trust, and win-win cooperation between the two nations. With new challenges and opportunities on the horizon, he emphasized China’s willingness to join hands with Italy to uphold openness and a spirit of mutual learning. Their united aim is to further deepen the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership and inject much-needed stability into a turbulent global landscape.
The Chinese Foreign Minister’s resonant words underscore the importance of fostering practical cooperation and inclusiveness, while simultaneously promoting a culture of learning from one another. The message is clear: the China-Italy partnership remains steadfast in its commitment to progress, even as the world around them undergoes rapid transformation.
Italy’s Pledge for Enhanced Collaboration
Responding to Wang Yi’s impassioned call for closer cooperation, Italy’s Antonio Tajani affirmed his nation’s commitment to deepening ties across various sectors. From trade and investment to science and technology innovation, environmental protection, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism, Italy is poised to collaborate wholeheartedly with China.
Tajani’s fervent vow to elevate Italy-China relations to new heights echoes the sentiments of cooperation and partnership. Moreover, Italy expresses its readiness to bolster collaboration with China in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Group of Twenty, underlining the global significance of their strengthened alliance.
In conclusion, the 11th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee has once again demonstrated the enduring friendship and commitment to cooperation between these two nations. As they look ahead, both China and Italy stand poised to capitalize on their shared vision for a brighter future, further solidifying their comprehensive strategic partnership on the world stage.
