Italian Prime Minister Meloni Meets Xi Jinping to Strengthen Ties with China

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emphasized the importance of China as a key partner in addressing global tensions during her first official visit to Beijing since taking office nearly two years ago. Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Meloni expressed the need for both nations to collaborate on ensuring stability and peace amid rising international insecurity. This visit aims to "relaunch" relations that have been strained since Italy's withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative last year. In 2019, Italy became the only G7 nation to join the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to enhance global infrastructure connectivity. However, under U.S. pressure, Italy exited the project, raising concerns about China's economic influence. Despite this, Meloni signaled a desire to foster balanced trade relations, stating her hope for a more equitable economic partnership. The backdrop of her visit includes recent tensions, such as the European Commission's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which has led to warnings from Chinese officials about potential trade conflicts. During her discussions with Xi, Meloni highlighted the need for mutual development opportunities, echoing Xi's sentiment that interconnected nations thrive together. The Italian Prime Minister also signed a three-year economic cooperation agreement covering various sectors, including aerospace and artificial intelligence, indicating a commitment to a new phase in Italy-China relations. This visit reflects Meloni's shift towards a more pro-Western stance while seeking to balance Italy's economic interests with its strategic partnerships.