A new momentum for bilateral relations

The political and economic ties between Italy and China are experiencing a new momentum, which Rome and Beijing are willing to further strengthen.

In 2015 we celebrated the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

The anniversary was also an opportunity to start thinking about what we want to achieve next.

As a result, we agreed to aim at a comprehensive upgrade of our bilateral strategic partnership.

As China started the implementation of its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), in May 2016 our two countries launched the "Road to 50": a "Five-year strategy" born with the intent to elaborate a long-term vision and a concrete strategy toward 2020, the year that marks the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations and the completion of the new five-year plan.

So, through the "Road to 50" we aim to upgrade our bilateral strategic partnership with more in-depth cooperation in the areas where Italy and China present significant complementarities, such as green economy, environmental technologies, agri-food, in particular food safety, urbanization, healthcare, aeronautic and aviation.

Italy and China have a strong political view.

Over the past couple of years, our two foreign ministers met three times, and the prime minister, the speaker of the Italian Senate, as well as the ministers of education, health, and culture all travelled to China.

In February, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella paid a state visit to China.

In May, our Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni had long and very productive meetings with President Xi Jinping and Primier Li Keqiang on the occasion of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Italy has an important role to play within this pioneering and visionary initiative, not only because of the cultural and historic ties dating back to Marco Polo, but also and foremost for the geographical and logistical advantages that it can offer toward the initiative's development.

Italy is located at the very center of the Mediterranean Sea, it is equipped with excellent ports and transport infrastructure, it is interconnected via its road and rail networks to the major European corridors, it is recognized as the second biggest manufacturing power in Europe and as a leading country in innovation and technology.

We are therefore an ideal partner for implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and for creating industrial and scientific partnerships with China also in third countries.

The author is Italian ambassador to China.

(China Daily 06/16/2017 page12)