On May 5, 2016 local time, after holding talks in Rome, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni of Italy jointly met the press.
Wang Yi expressed that as major countries with time-honored civilization and profound cultural connotation, China and Italy are also important world economies with innovative spirit. It conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and the two peoples to constantly deepen the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, which is also a correct strategic choice of the two sides. China stands ready to, together with Italy, continuously increase political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and push China-Italy relations to take the lead in China-EU relations.
China welcomes Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to visit China this September to attend the G20 Hangzhou Summit so as to jointly strive for fruitful results from the summit. China is willing to keep the momentum of high-level exchanges with Italy, while continuing to understand and support each other's core interests and major concerns.
Based on the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, both sides have carried out productive cooperation in the five priority fields including energy conservation and environmental protection, agriculture, sustainable urbanization, health care, aviation and aerospace. At the next stage, the two sides should continue to broaden cooperation area, align China's Belt and Road initiative with Italy's national development strategies, integrate "Made in China 2025" with Italy's “Industry 4.0”, and connect China's "Internet plus" strategy with Italy's technological innovation plan, in a move to constantly push the bilateral cooperation to a new level and enrich the connotation of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership. China welcomes Italy's proactive participation in the construction of the Belt and Road, and hopes that Italy will work with China and other countries along the route to jointly well build the Silk Road of the new era, in a bid to boost the common development and prosperity of the Eurasian continent.
Wang Yi expressed that being major cultural countries, China and Italy can continue to hold cultural activities of various forms including expanding the scale of exchange students and tourists, facilitate personnel exchanges of the two sides and constantly enhance mutual understanding and traditional friendship of the two peoples. Italy is a major EU country with worldwide influence. China stands ready to continue to enhance communication and coordination with Italy on the reform of the UN Security Council, climate change, sustainable development and other issues. China-Italy relations enjoy sound development prospect. I hope both sides can make joint efforts to open up a better future for China-Italy relations.