Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has arrived in China for her first visit since taking office nearly two years ago. Her five-day trip will include meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, focusing on boosting bilateral trade and ending the war in Ukraine.
Meloni “arrived in Beijing on the afternoon of July 27 for an official visit,” state broadcaster CGTN announced on Weibo.
An Italian official told Agence France-Presse, on condition of anonymity, that the prime minister aims to “relaunch bilateral relations in sectors of common interest.” Talks will cover “main international issues, starting with the war in Ukraine.”
Last year, Meloni’s administration withdrew from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, having been the only Group of 7 nation to join. Before taking office, Meloni called joining the initiative a “mistake.”
Italy’s non-binding memorandum of understanding with China included broad cooperation in logistics, infrastructure, finance, and environmental sectors. However, details were scarce, and the lack of transparency led to distrust among Italy’s allies.
