Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani met with Chinese Trade Minister Vang Vıntao this morning and discussed economic-commercial relations between the two countries, as well as developments in the international arena, according to a written statement from the Italian Foreign Ministry.
Tajani said that relations between Italy and China are going through a revival phase.
China is our first trading partner in Asia and second among non-EU countries after the USA. I wanted to reiterate the need for fair access to the Chinese market and equal conditions for our companies, especially SMEs and companies in the agri-food sector. From this point of view, we want to continue working with our Chinese partners to strengthen economic cooperation and rebalance the trade balance sheet between Rome and Beijing.
In the statement, it was stated that Tajani ⁇ discussed with Chinese minister Vang Vıntao the war in Ukraine, the crises in Gaza and the Red Sea, and re-introduced the issue of military supplies to Russia.
Tajani ⁇ also conveyed to his guest that cooperation for the security of the Red Sea, which is important for China's freedom of navigation and export security, is vital.
The two ministers discussed the protection of intellectual property, commercial shopping and investment in the agri-food sector, and expressed satisfaction that China Eastern Airlines will start direct flights between Venice and Shanghai on September 26.
Italy entered the Belt and Road Initiative, which is known as the modern Silk Road of Çin ⁇ , in 2019 ⁇ and left in December 2023 ⁇ on the grounds that it did not create the desired effect. Since then, the Italian government has said it wants to maintain a strong trade relationship with China in a different way. In this context, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Çin ⁇ i on 27-31 July and announced that they signed a 3-year action plan to try new ways to re-launch and advance cooperation with China.
