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Beijing (ANSA) – The words weighed and chosen carefully. The will to reconnect after the farewell to the Belt and Road Initiative, which must still be inspired by the “spirit of the ancient Silk Road”. The rebalancing of trade and investments but also the extended hand to mediate in the (difficult) relations with the European Union. It is a balancing act the meeting between Giorgia Meloni and Xi Jinping.
China is “an important economic, commercial, cultural partner” begins Meloni in front of the president of the People’s Republic. Meloni does not speak of “Russian aggression against Ukraine”, as she did in front of the prime minister, but reiterates the importance of developing “multilateral” dialogue in a “complex moment where the system of rules is being challenged”. The Prime Minister guarantees the will to continue working “experimenting with new forms of cooperation” also through the Three-Year Plan just signed between Rome and Beijing.
I think that Italy can play an important role also regarding relations with the EU in an attempt to create the most balanced trade relations possible
Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister
And assigns Italy “an important role” to relaunch relations with the European Union, still attempting to “create the most balanced trade relations possible”. Meloni’s visit was widely awaited by Beijing as an opportunity to stabilize China-Europe relations in a context of rising tensions over additional import tariffs decided by the EU Commission on electric vehicles made in China.
Italy is among the EU countries that in early July voted in favor of provisional tariffs up to an additional 37.6%. Meloni, in the Chinese version, stated that “Italy opposes decoupling and protectionism and is willing to promote the deepening of EU-China relations”. Therefore, Beijing hopes to avoid a new heavy commercial front with the EU, already having one with the US, in a phase of uncertain and stagnant economy (July 29).