Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit China for the first time since taking office, from July 26-31, to enhance trade relations with Beijing.
Meloni, who views Chinese investment as a means to stimulate Italy's sluggish economic growth, is scheduled to hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
In 2019, Italy became the only G7 nation to join China’s trade and infrastructure initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the country withdrew from the project last year due to U.S. pressure over concerns about Beijing's economic influence.
Meloni's administration stated that the agreement had not yielded any benefits for Italy as Italy's annual trade with China amounting to 73.9 billion euros is significantly imbalanced favoring Beijing.
A number of bilateral trade and industrial agreements are expected to be formalized during Meloni's visit, according to another source familiar with the planning, although specific details were not disclosed.
China's Ministry of Industry recently expressed willingness to promote practical collaboration with Italy in sectors such as automobiles, ships, and small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Throughout her visit, Meloni is also likely to address the issue of overcapacity in Chinese production and China's support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
In 2019, Italy became the only G7 nation to join China’s trade and infrastructure initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the country withdrew from the project last year due to U.S. pressure over concerns about Beijing's economic influence.
Meloni's administration stated that the agreement had not yielded any benefits for Italy as Italy's annual trade with China amounting to 73.9 billion euros is significantly imbalanced favoring Beijing.
A number of bilateral trade and industrial agreements are expected to be formalized during Meloni's visit, according to another source familiar with the planning, although specific details were not disclosed.
China's Ministry of Industry recently expressed willingness to promote practical collaboration with Italy in sectors such as automobiles, ships, and small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Throughout her visit, Meloni is also likely to address the issue of overcapacity in Chinese production and China's support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
Source: TVP World, PAP
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