Post by account_disabled on Feb 26, 2024 23:06:23 GMT -6
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Rome wants to forge stronger ties with China even as it considers withdrawing from Beijing's controversial Belt and Road Initiative in the coming months. "The question is how to ensure a partnership that can be mutually beneficial, regardless of the decisions we make in the BRI," Meloni said at a news conference on Sunday in New Delhi, at the end of the G20 summit. Meloni met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the summit to discuss the future of Italian-Chinese relations, as his government reconsiders Italy's participation in President Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy initiative. Italy's 2019 decision to sign up to the BRI (the only G7 nation to have joined China's trade and infrastructure plan) dismayed Rome's Western allies, especially Washington, and Meloni has in the past called the move, which was taken over by a previous government.
Italian officials say Rome is now trying to exit the BRI without incurring China's anger or retaliation, and find alternative ways to deepen economic ties. Meloni signaled his government's intention to recalibrate Jordan Mobile Number List relations with Beijing in June, when he restricted Chinese chemical giant Sinochem's shareholder rights in Milan-listed tire maker Pirelli, citing national security concerns. Meloni highlighted the “friendly and constructive atmosphere” of his weekend talks with Li and said that several European countries that never joined the BRI had “managed to forge more beneficial relations with China than we have.” He reiterated his intention to visit China, but said dates would not be set until the countries had reached an understanding on their bilateral cooperation and "how to strengthen it.
China's state news agency Xinhua said Li had told Meloni that Beijing expected Italy to "provide a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies." The report made no specific mention of Pirelli. China has been trying to persuade Italy not to withdraw from the BRI, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who was visiting the country, that in In the last five years, their bilateral trade had increased from $50 billion to almost $80 billion. Wang also told Tajanai that “China and Italy should adhere to the correct way of getting along with each other,” with mutual respect and trust, despite geopolitical tensions, Xinhua reported. In an article about Tajani's visit, the state-run China Daily newspaper cited an analyst who blamed the United States for pressuring Italy to withdraw from the BRI.
Italian officials say Rome is now trying to exit the BRI without incurring China's anger or retaliation, and find alternative ways to deepen economic ties. Meloni signaled his government's intention to recalibrate Jordan Mobile Number List relations with Beijing in June, when he restricted Chinese chemical giant Sinochem's shareholder rights in Milan-listed tire maker Pirelli, citing national security concerns. Meloni highlighted the “friendly and constructive atmosphere” of his weekend talks with Li and said that several European countries that never joined the BRI had “managed to forge more beneficial relations with China than we have.” He reiterated his intention to visit China, but said dates would not be set until the countries had reached an understanding on their bilateral cooperation and "how to strengthen it.
China's state news agency Xinhua said Li had told Meloni that Beijing expected Italy to "provide a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies." The report made no specific mention of Pirelli. China has been trying to persuade Italy not to withdraw from the BRI, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week told his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who was visiting the country, that in In the last five years, their bilateral trade had increased from $50 billion to almost $80 billion. Wang also told Tajanai that “China and Italy should adhere to the correct way of getting along with each other,” with mutual respect and trust, despite geopolitical tensions, Xinhua reported. In an article about Tajani's visit, the state-run China Daily newspaper cited an analyst who blamed the United States for pressuring Italy to withdraw from the BRI.