Chinese, Italian leaders pledge mutual support in multilateral blocs
Presidents Xi Jinping, Sergio Matterella also vow to boost cooperation on ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative during visit to Beijing by Italian business delegation
China and Italy will strengthen their cooperation in multilateral bodies, their leaders agreed during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Italian counterpart Sergio Matterella on Wednesday.
Xi also expressed his support for the continuation of the European Union at a time when the bloc is threatened by a rise in isolationism.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of 13 cooperation agreements, which covered technology and innovation, medical science, cultural exchanges, aerospace, electronics and energy.
Matterella led a business delegation on his first visit to China since taking office in 2015, and said he aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries during the trip.
China would work closely with Italy in multilateral blocs such as the Group of 20 and the United Nations, Xi said.