Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi signed a joint declaration Friday on establishing a governmental committee to promote bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.

The setting up of the committee is aimed at guiding, coordinating and inspecting bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, culture, science and technology as well as academics, said the joint declaration.

The committee will coordinate the proposals, projects and activities from both sides within the long-term, comprehensive and strategic framework.

The Foreign Ministries of the two countries will be responsible for organizing, arranging and coordinating the committee's work. The committee will hold a meeting once a year in the two countries' capitals on a rotating base, the declaration said.

The Chinese and Italian heads of government signed the joint statement following their talks.

Wen arrived in Rome Thursday on an official visit to Italy as part of his 11-day European tour. Italy is the third country of his visit, which has taken him to Germany, Belgium and the European Union headquarters in Brussels. He will also visit Britain and Ireland.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2004)