Watch VideoStrengthening Italy-China relations at G20 Summit: Opportunities for trade and investment

During a meeting on the sidelines of the 20th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed strengthening bilateral ties. Li pledged enhanced market access for Italian companies through platforms like the China International Import Expo, China International Fair for Trade in Services, China International Consumer Products Expo, and China International Supply Chain Expo, while encouraging more Italian firms to enter the Chinese market. He also called for Italy to ensure a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese investments. Li urged expanded people-to-people exchanges in tourism, education, sports, youth, and sub-national levels to facilitate travel and mutual understanding. Additionally, he emphasized closer coordination in multilateral forums like the UN and G20 to uphold multilateralism. Meloni highlighted the positive momentum in Italy-China relations, with steady progress in cooperation. She proposed leveraging the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the Italy-China Government Committee, and the Italy-China Joint Economic Commission to implement their comprehensive strategic partnership action plan, deepening ties in trade, investment, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Meloni welcomed more Chinese investments in Italy and encouraged Italian businesses to expand in China, while committing to enhanced multilateral coordination. She also addressed G20 sessions on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and on building a resilient world covering disaster risk reduction, climate change, just energy transitions, and food systems. The meeting underscores ongoing efforts to bolster economic and diplomatic relations amid global challenges, as reported by Xinhua.