Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives in China today for an official five-day visit visit, which will last until July 31, announced the spokesman of the foreign ministry of the Asian country Mao Ning, quoted by France Press and "RAI News" television, quoted by BTA.
This is Meloni's first visit to the Asian country since taking power in 2022.
"Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will pay an official visit to China from July 27 to 31," Mao Ning said in a communique.
Gorgia Meloni will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, the spokeswoman said at her regular press conference.
This visit will allow "to deepen practical cooperation and cultural exchange" and to "promote the stable and long-term development of Sino-Italian and Sino-European relations,", Mao Ning stressed.
The Italian tire manufacturer "Pirelli" (Pirelli), the energy giant "Eni" (Eni), the arms company "Leonardo" (Leonardo) and some Italian luxury goods companies including "Dolce & Gabbana" (Dolce & Gabbana), are among those invited to participate in the Italy-China Business Forum, which will be held in Beijing on Sunday (July 28) and Monday (July 29), reports Reuters.
In 2019, Italy became the only G7 country to join China's trade and infrastructure project known as "One Belt, One Road", but withdrew from it last year under pressure from the USA because of concerns about increasing Beijing's economic power.
Melloni's government has said the deal does not benefit Italy, whose annual trade with China is worth 73.9 billion euros ($80.13 billion), according to the latest figures.
Bilateral trade and industrial agreements are expected to be signed during Meloni's visit, another informed source said, without elaborating.
Another of the business forum panels will be dedicated to the automotive sector. The Italian government is holding talks with Chinese car companies as part of efforts to attract other major automakers to the country, in addition to the presence of "Stelantis" (Stellantis), hoping to boost car production in Italy.
During Meloni's visit, the issue of overcapacity in Chinese production and Beijing's support for Moscow in the war with Ukraine is also expected to be raised.
At the G7 meeting in the Italian resort of Borgo Enziata last month, the US, Italy, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Canada said they were not trying to harm China or hinder economic development, but the world continues to takes steps to protect its business from unfair practices.