Wang Yi calls for more robust, resilient and fruitful China-Italy ties

ROME: China is willing to work with Italy to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, accelerate the implementation of the action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, and ensure a more robust, resilient and fruitful China-Italy relationship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.

Mattarella said Italy and China are both ancient civilizations and that both advocate the values ​​of peace and cooperation and insist on resolving differences through dialogue.

China enjoys high prestige in the international community and plays an increasingly critical and important role, he said, expressing his expectation that China will make greater contributions to world peace and stability.

Wang said in today’s world, where trust is lacking, more dialogue and communication are needed to enhance mutual understanding and deepen cooperation.

He said the four major global initiatives proposed by China have provided the public goods most needed in the world today.

In particular, the recently proposed Global Governance Initiative aims to consolidate and strengthen the leading role of the United Nations, improve global governance through reform, and build a more just and reasonable global governance system, he said.

Wang expressed his hope that Italy will work with China to practice true multilateralism and make new contributions to world peace and the progress of human civilization.

Mattarella said he agrees with the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and welcomes a series of major initiatives proposed by China, adding that they fully meet the needs of the international community and the aspirations of people of all countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the situation in the Middle East and the Ukraine crisis. They expressed their belief that only by implementing the two-state solution can the Palestinian issue be resolved in a comprehensive, just, and lasting manner, and agreed to maintain communication on a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.