(MENAFN) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani met in Rome to discuss bilateral relations and key international issues, including the situations in Palestine and Ukraine, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Wang and Tajani co-chaired the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee on Wednesday, where both sides agreed to deepen economic and trade cooperation. They also held a separate bilateral meeting to exchange views on regional and global developments.

Highlighting the importance of stronger ties, Wang said China and Italy are “two major economies that support free trade and safeguard multilateralism.” He urged both sides to maintain an open spirit, expand practical cooperation, and contribute to global development and stability.

Wang noted that China’s unilateral visa-free policy for Italian citizens will remain in place, inviting “more Italian friends” to visit and experience China firsthand.

Tajani reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the one-China policy and expressed Rome’s willingness to enhance cooperation with Beijing on multilateral issues. He said Italy aims to work with China to promote peaceful resolutions to the Palestinian-Israeli and Ukraine conflicts, uphold free trade, and maintain global supply chain stability.

Italy became the only G7 nation to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2019 but withdrew from the infrastructure project in 2023. Despite the exit, bilateral trade between China and Italy has continued to grow, exceeding $80 billion.

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