Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has arrived in China for her first visit since taking office nearly two years ago. Her five-day trip aims to re-evaluate and strengthen relations between Italy and China, with a focus on economic cooperation. Meloni's visit comes after Italy quit China's Belt and Road infrastructure investment initiative, and she seeks to position Italy as a bridge between East and West. The visit also highlights the historical contributions of figures like Marco Polo, Matteo Ricci, and Giuseppe Castiglione to Sino-Italian relations. Meloni's goal is to foster lasting bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
During her visit, Meloni met with China's Premier Li Qiang in Beijing to pledge a 'relaunch' of ties between the two countries. She stated that the visit was a demonstration of the will to begin a new phase and to relaunch bilateral cooperation. Italy's government had previously criticized the decision to sign up for China's flagship initiative and formally notified Beijing of its intention to withdraw from the program in December. The aim of the visit is to stabilize relations with China while also insisting on fairer trade. The economic sustainability of Italian exports is dependent on the quality of relations with China. The visit is part of a five-day trip by Meloni to China.
Meloni's trip comes at a crucial time as the EU has toughened its stance toward China, sometimes at the prodding of President Joe Biden. With Donald Trump leading polls in the US election, the EU will need to decide how to align itself between the world's two largest economies. Meloni will need to balance her goal of strengthening ties with China with the EU's tougher stance on trade toward Beijing. She is expected to bring up Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict during her talks with Chinese leaders. The EU's imposition of provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) has also strained relations, with China threatening to retaliate if the EU moves ahead with the levies. Meloni's outreach to China can demonstrate to other European nations the benefits of enhancing cooperation with China. The two countries are focusing on collaboration in sectors such as shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy, and artificial intelligence. The delicate balance between protecting domestic industries and fostering trade relationships is reflected in Italy's support of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.
According to an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post, Meloni's visit to China marks a re-evaluation of relations and economic cooperation between the two countries. The article highlights the historical significance of figures like Marco Polo, Matteo Ricci, and Giuseppe Castiglione in Sino-Italian relations. It also emphasizes Meloni's aim to position Italy as a bridge between East and West. The visit is seen as an opportunity to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which can bridge gaps and foster lasting bonds in international relations. The article mentions that Italy's support of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles reflects the delicate balance between protecting domestic industries and fostering trade relationships. The two countries are focusing on collaboration in sectors such as shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy, and artificial intelligence. [ca0d4f06]
Giorgia Meloni's trip to Beijing last month aimed to relaunch relations with China after Italy's exit from the Belt and Road Initiative. The main outcome was the signing of a three-year action plan for increased cooperation in trade and green development. [8d06c502]