China, Italy seek stronger ties

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 27, 2010.
Chinese leaders on Wednesday met with visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and discussed advancing bilateral relations.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country's top legislature, said China and Italy both faced severe challenges and new opportunities as the international situation was undergoing profound changes.

As the two countries shared a wide range of common interests, Wu said, it was in the fundamental interests of both peoples to develop China-Italy ties, which also worked for world peace and development.

As this year saw the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, the two countries should maintain exchanges and dialogues at all levels, take care of each other's major concerns and deepen political trust, Wu said.

Wu proposed all-round trade and economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of environment, science and technology, small and medium-sized businesses.

Wu called on the two countries to step up communication and coordination under the China-EU and Asia-Europe frameworks and the international organizations like the United Nations and Group 20 in a bid to build a fair and reasonable international political and economic system.

Napolitano, on his first visit to China as Italian head of state, said Italy appreciated China's remarkable economic and social development.

The 85-year-old underscored Italy's commitment to developing ties with China, saying Italy and Europe could not develop without building closer links with China.

Napolitano said Italy would take care of China's major concerns, enhance trade and economic cooperation and expand exchanges of visits.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 27, 2010.
Later Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Napolitano.

At the start of the meeting, Wen recalled his visit to Italy early this month, during which both sides celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, announced an action plan to cement economic cooperation in three years and launched the Year of Chinese Culture in Italy.

He said Napolitano's trip had boosted the confidence of both countries to deepen friendly cooperation.

"I believe our relations will witness vigorous growth and move on to a new development stage with joint efforts from both sides," Wen said.

Napolitano said Wen's successful visit to Italy had stepped up the growth of relations, and his China visit would promote mutual understanding and friendship.

Wen said China and Italy, as two nations with ancient civilizations, had significant influence.

He attributed the two nation's development to the inheritance of cultural traditions while sticking to reform and opening-up, and respect for the progressive thought and achievement of other nations.

Wen called on both sides to contribute to world peace, harmony and cooperation.

Napolitano, on a six-day state visit, said Italy fully respected the development path China chose for itself, vowing concerted efforts with the country to boost common development.

China had never been big-headed, nor did it sidestep problems and challenges, Napolitano said. He believed China, with clear goals, would make greater contributions to the world.

Napolitano will visit Shanghai Thursday and Friday and attend the 2010 World Expo. He will return home early Saturday.

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