BEIJING – Cooperation between China and Italy was the focus of discussions on Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Xi emphasized the historical significance of the two nations as endpoints of the ancient Silk Road trade route. This meeting comes after Meloni's decision to withdraw Italy from China's Belt and Road Initiative in December, although she recently signed a new agreement aimed at fostering trade and collaboration during her five-day state visit to China