China and Italy sign a number of deals to cement plans for practical cooperation. (Photo/CGTN )
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Italy to add fresh vitality to its role as a crucial hub on the new Silk Road during talks with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano in Beijing on Monday.
Wang said the next stage is to align China's Belt and Road Initiative with Italy's national development strategies. He called for more efforts to integrate "Made in China 2025" with Italy's "Industry 4.0," and connect China's "Internet plus" strategy with Italy's technological innovation plans.
Meanwhile, the two top diplomats reached consensus on boosting the comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed to promote economic and trade cooperation, increase public contact, work together on scientific innovations, and coordinate on global issues.
Alfano also shared his vision on future cooperation, when speaking at the eighth joint meeting of the China-Italy governmental committee shortly after his talks with Wang.
The Italian foreign minister called for cooperation with China to secure a stable and balanced trade relationship. "We also need to protect intellectual property rights and create a favorable environment for bilateral investment," he said.
Both ministers hailed achievements in fields including environment protection, agriculture, healthcare, aviation and aerospace. They pledged to secure more successes to embrace the 50-year anniversary of bilateral relations in 2020.
Bilateral trade between China and Italy hit nearly 43 billion US dollars last year. Trade has risen by 14 percent year on year in the first three quarters of 2017. To continue this upward momentum, the two countries are implementing an economic cooperation action plan, and forge closer relations under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The foreign ministers were holding talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Alfano is on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of Wang.
