Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Italian Prime Minister
Romano Prodi on Friday for talks that focused on strengthening
Chinese-Italian and Chinese-European ties.
Political dialogue has been active and the two countries have
maintained close consultation and coordination in the United
Nations and other multi-lateral institutions, Hu told Prodi at
their meeting in Heiligendamm, a resort town on Germany's Baltic
coast.
The Chinese president flew into Heiligendamm earlier for an
outreach session with leaders of the Group of Eight (G8)
industrialized nations.
Economic and trade cooperation between China and Italy has been
growing rapidly and the festivities during the Year of Italy helped
deepen the understanding and friendship between the two peoples, he
said.
China stands ready to work with Italy to elevate the all-round
strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level,
he said.
China and Italy should deepen political mutual trust and
maintain coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and
other multi-lateral institutions, the Chinese president said,
adding the two nations need to expand economic and trade ties and
work to ensure the growth of the bilateral trade in a balanced
manner.
The Chinese president also proposed to encourage mutual
investment and promote cooperation in cultural relics preservation,
environment protection and clean energy, among other areas. A
Chinese cultural festival is scheduled to be launched in Italy at a
later time, he said.
Prodi, for his part, agreed with Hu on his proposals on forging
closer ties and said a solid foundation has been established in
Italian-Chinese ties and that Italy hopes to see mutual investment
boosted and economic and trade cooperation expanded.
The Italian leader praised the role China has played in
international and regional affairs, saying Italy and China share
the same or similar views on many major international issues.
Italy is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with
China in the United Nations and on international and regional
issues, Prodi said.
President Hu said developing ties with the European Union (EU)
is an important element in China's foreign policy and economic and
trade relations with the EU are growing fast, with the EU remaining
the biggest trading partner for China.
The Chinese president expressed hope that Italy will use its
influence in the EU to boost Chinese-European ties. Prodi pledged
Italy's efforts in this regard.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2007)
