Italy will strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as energy resources and machinery manufacturing as the two countries can complement one another in various fields, said Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in a recent interview with Chinese reporters.

It is in the interests of Italy to encourage more enterprises to enter the Chinese market, said Ciampi, who will start a six-day state visit to China on Saturday at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

Premier Wen Jiabao visited Italy in May.

Strengthened cooperation between the two countries will also boost the development of relations between the European Union and China, the 84-year-old president added.

Recalling his 1983 and 1991 visits to China, when he was the governor of Italy's central bank, Ciampi said, "I was deeply impressed by the two visits."

Italy and China share common views on many important international affairs, including the implementation of anti-terrorist operations, avoidance of clashes between cultures, promotion of the Middle East peace process and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the president said.

Ciampi said the international community should strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation to prevent and combat terrorism and to eradicate its roots. EU-China cooperation can also contribute to world peace.

Both countries hope to set up an effective multilateral mechanism based on the United Nations to cope with new threats and to enhance common security.

Ciampi noted that many Italian enterprises have established joint ventures in China and two-way trade has increased rapidly. Italy's exports to China rose nearly 20 percent in the first eight months of this year.

The ties between the EU and China have huge potential for development. The two countries can cooperate in such areas as environmental protection, the development of alternative energy sources and advanced technologies, said Ciampi.

Italy is Europe's third largest exporter to China. About 500 Italian enterprises have invested in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2004)