Beijing, July 21st—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation of political parties from Italy led by Vinicio Peluffo, President of the “Friends of China” Parliamentary Association. 

Liu said, last year marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy and the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo. President Xi Jinping held successful meetings with visiting President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, charting the course for the future development of China-Italy relations. Under the strategic guidance and promotion of the leaders of both countries, practical cooperation between China and Italy has continued to expand, trade and investment have grown steadily, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been rich and diverse. China is willing to work with Italy to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen personnel exchanges and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and strengthen multilateral communication and coordination to promote greater development of China-Italy relations. The CPC is willing to carry out institutional exchanges and political dialogues with the “Friends of China” Parliamentary Association of Italia and various Italian political parties, strengthen exchanges on issues of common concern, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and further consolidate the political foundation for the development of China-Italy relations. 

Liu said, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating in today's world, and various challenges are emerging one after another. China and the European Union (EU), as two major civilizations advocating diversity, are opportunities for each other's development rather than risks, and are partners rather than rivals. Both sides should enhance political mutual trust through dialogue and communication, further establish a correct understanding of each other, and work together to provide more stability and certainty to the world. China is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to promote the continuous, healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. Italy is an influential EU member state, and it is hoped that Italy will continue to play an active role in promoting the development of China-EU relations. 

Peluffo said, Italy-China relations have maintained good development. Last year, President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid successful visits to China, reaching important consensus with Chinese leaders. Italy is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, sports, localities, energy and digital transformation, and continuously enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. Italian political parties are willing to have candid, in-depth and constructive dialogues with the CPC, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and promote exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in all fields between the two countries. As an EU member state, Italy believes that China and the EU should be partners and is willing to play a greater role in promoting the stable development of China-EU relations. Both China and Italy are ancient civilizations. In the face of a complex and volatile international situation, Italy is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China within the framework of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, jointly safeguard multilateralism and an open world economy, and better promote world peace, stability, development and prosperity. 

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. 

Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to China, representatives of the Democratic Party, Forza Italia, the Greens and Left Alliance of Italy, and others attended the meeting.