Farnesina: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani met with the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wentao.

The Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani met this morning at the Farnesina with the Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Wang Wentao.

This is the third meeting in a year with the Chinese counterpart: the previous talks were held in Beijing in September 2023 and in Verona last April on the occasion of the XV Joint Economic Commission and the Business Dialogue Forum, both co-chaired by Minister Tajani and Minister Wang. Today's meeting follows the visit to China by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni last July and is a prelude to the planned mission to Beijing by the President of the Republic Mattarella, in which Tajani will also participate.

“Relations between Italy and China are going through an important phase of relaunch, with the shared objective of strengthening and updating the Italy-China Global Strategic Partnership, which since 2004 has constituted the reference framework for the development of our relations” Tajani declared, underlining in particular the importance of the economic dimension: “China is our first trading partner in Asia and the second among non-EU countries, after the USA. I wanted to reiterate the need for afair access to the Chinese market and equal conditions for our companies, especially for SMEs and companies in the agri-food sector. Starting from this assumption We want to continue working with our Chinese partners to strengthen economic cooperation and rebalance the trade balance between Rome and Beijing”.

Among the international topics addressed, the war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza and the Red Sea: “I raised the issue of military supplies to Russia” said Minister Tajani, reiterating that “China’s collaboration is essential also in view of the next peace conference”.

Furthermore, for the Foreign Minister, "it is very It is important that China cooperate for the security of the Red Sea, a crucial region for freedom of navigation and security of exports”.

During the meeting it was also the topic of intellectual property protection was discussed, trade in the agri-food sector and investments. Tajani also expressed his satisfaction to his Chinese counterpart for the inauguration – next September 26 – of the direct flight connection between Venice and Shanghai, operated by the airline “China Eastern Airlines”: an objective discussed by the two Ministers at the Joint Economic Commission last April and immediately implemented, which goes in the direction, hoped for by both parties, of expanding air connections between Italy and China also at airports other than Rome and Milano.