Wen, Monti pledge trade boost before key meeting
Italy and China yesterday vowed to boost trade ties as their leaders met in Beijing ahead of the start of key economic talks at the Boao Forum for Asia tomorrow, local media said.
Premier Wen Jiabao told Italy's Mario Monti - the only European leader attending the forum - that both Beijing and Rome should step up trade between small and medium-sized enterprises, and help businesses working in advanced technology and environmental protection, Xinhua reported.
Wen also called for more financial co-operation between the two nations and more contact over reform of the international financial system.
Monti, a former European commissioner, said the Italian government was working hard to implement fiscal reform. He also said he attached great importance to Chinese investment in Italy.
Liu Jiansheng, a research fellow from the European division of the China Institute of International Studies, said Monti's trip could pave the way for Italy's advanced technology and environmental protection businesses to gain a foothold in the mainland market.
