Further opening-up will benefit Italy

Since the beginning of my mandate in Beijing, back in 2015, the political and economic ties between Italy and China have experienced a new momentum of growth. In 2017, in particular, the relations between Italy and China reached a turning point. President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella paid in February a state visit to the People's Republic of China. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which took place in Beijing last May. We welcomed one delegation at the ministerial level from Italy every two months.

At the end of 2017, Vice-Premier Ma Kai paid an official visit to Italy. On every occasion, the two countries confirmed the willingness to further promote their bilateral strategic partnership, including in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Every time, important bilateral agreements were signed in areas such as healthcare, science and technology, space exploration and food safety. Joint patrols were conducted by Italian and Chinese police agents at the main tourist spots in several towns of the two countries: a visible sign of friendship and mutual trust.

In 2020, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, which is also the year when the 13th Five-year Plan (2016-20) is set for completion. The "Road to 50" sets the path for our bilateral cooperation aiming at upgrading the strategic partnership with more in-depth cooperation in key sectors where our two systems can complement each other and Italy's industrial capacity can meet the strategic priorities defined by the Chinese authorities.