• Prime Minister Meloni and President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Indonesia
    China

    Giorgia Meloni concludes state visit to China

    European Newsdesk Posted on

    “For an exporting country like Italy, it is important to maintain good relations with everyone. China is no exception, but there is an issue concerning strategic sectors. In these sectors, I believe we have learned, at our own expense, how necessary it is to have a stronger partnership with our traditional allies.” This was stated by Lia Quartapelle, a Democratic Party (PD) deputy and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, in an interview with Italian international relations portal Formiche.net on the eve of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Beijing.

    Italy and China signed a three-year action plan to enhance existing agreements and explore new avenues of cooperation during the trip of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Beijing. Meloni’s trip is seen as an effort to reset relations with China, balancing concerns about a potential trade war with the EU against Italy’s interest in attracting Chinese investment, particularly in the automotive and other sectors.

    Prime Minister Meloni described Beijing’s economic support for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine as a source of “great friction” during her official five-day visit to China.

    Despite Beijing’s claims of neutrality in the conflict, NATO has accused China, a close ally of Moscow, of playing a “decisive” role in the war. While China does not provide arms to Russia, it supplies essential equipment that aids its war effort. Last year, trade between Russia and China reached approximately €240 billion, according to official figures.

    Meloni suggested that China could play a “key role” in helping to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She also noted that Italy could serve as an important intermediary in improving relations between China and the European Union, fostering more balanced trade relationships. This comes in the wake of the EU’s recent imposition of provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese electric vehicles, further straining EU-China relations.

    Acknowledging China’s influence on the global stage, Meloni emphasized that in a time of growing international insecurity, China remains a crucial partner in addressing global challenges.

    Meloni’s visit also follows Italy’s decision to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a flagship project of Chinese leader Xi Jinping aimed at building infrastructure and strengthening global trade ties. Despite this, Xi emphasized the historical and cultural connections between the two nations, citing their long-standing exchanges as significant to human development and progress. He remarked, “If countries are inter-connected, they will advance; if they are close to each other, they will retreat,” underscoring the importance of continued cooperation.

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