China, Italy pledge to boost ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta vowed on Tuesday to advance relations between the two countries.

China always attaches great importance to its ties with Italy, regarding the country as a positive force in its relations with the European Union (EU), Wang said.

He added that China and Italy have been accommodating each other's core concerns on the basis of mutual respect.

Wang said China is willing to enhance political mutual trust and high-level exchanges with Italy and improve mutual beneficial cooperation standards, so as to consolidate and broaden bilateral relations at a higher level.

China will actively support Italy to well run the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2014 and the Milan Expo 2015, said the foreign minister.

Letta, for his part, said both Italy and China have a long history of ancient civilizations.

Italy is committed to deepening relations with China and expanding trade and investment, regarding bilateral diplomatic and economic cooperation as a priority, he added.

The prime minister voiced hope that China would take an active part in next year's ASEM and the Milan Expo 2015.