Chinese and Italian Foreign Ministers meet in Rome

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Rome on Wednesday, in an effort to redefine and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

Wang and Tajani discussed global issues such as the energy transition, geopolitical stability and international security, both promoting the need for a peaceful solution in the Israeli, Palestinian conflict and the one in Ukraine.

Economically, they also spoke of the need to expand cooperation and opportunities in both traditional and emerging sectors, such as green development, aerospace, culture and AI.

Wang emphasized Beijing's desire to grow their partnership with Italy by providing a "fair, transparent, non discriminatory business environment to encourage two-way investment."

Tajani stressed that Italy attached great importance to its relationship with China and welcomed more Chinese investment in the country – although he also underscored the need to better balance their economic relationship through "reciprocity and fair competition." 

Tajani added that Rome seeks to increase Italian exports to China while protecting strategic technologies and critical industries.

Italy is eager to bridge its trade deficit with China, which grew in the first quarter of 2025. Italian exports to China fell 11.4 percent to $4.5 billion, while imports from China rose 37.4 percent to $21 billion.

The foreign minister's talks coincided with the 12th session of the Italy–China Intergovernmental Committee, a key platform for identifying the tools required to implement and increase this bilateral cooperation.

Wang referred to that meeting as a complete success, with the two sides reaching important agreements that will help build a more stable and productive relationship.

 

Building longstanding bilaterals 

The visit of China's top diplomat comes during the 55th year of bilateral relations between the two countries. 

"The steady and healthy development of Sino-Italian relations over the past 55 years is based both on historical exchanges and the need for mutually beneficial cooperation," Wang said in a press conference following the talks. 

"Mutual respect, openness, cooperation, exchange, and mutual learning are our shared values and embody the wisdom of the two ancient civilizations. 

"This not only provides a solid foundation for the development of our bilateral relations, but also provides a feasible path for the international community to respond to the changes of the times."

Rome has been working to keep relations with Beijing open and pragmatic after withdrawing from China's Belt and Road initiative at the end of 2023 and voting in favour of EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports.

According to Tajani, the success of the meetings on Wednesday was proof that "constructive cooperation remains possible", while Wang called his visit "a new step in the friendship between Italy and China."

China's top diplomat will head to Switzerland on Friday to take part in the fourth round of the China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers-level Strategic Dialogue, furthering relations with the EU.