Meloni meets Xi as Italy aims to ‘relaunch’ ties with China

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Beijing on Monday, signaling a renewed effort to strengthen bilateral ties.

This meeting marks Meloni’s first visit to China as prime minister and comes after Italy’s withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in December 2022.

Historical context, new agreements

Pulling out of BRI: Italy, the only major Western nation to join the BRI, withdrew from the initiative in 2023, citing unmet expectations in bilateral trade benefits. However, Meloni signed a new agreement on Sunday, paving the way for enhanced cooperation on trade and other issues.

Historical Silk Road: Chinese President Xi emphasized the historical connection between China and Italy, highlighting their positions at the ends of the ancient Silk Road. He underscored the long-standing friendly exchanges that have contributed to the development of Eastern and Western civilizations.

Giorgia Meloni said, “There is growing insecurity at an international level, and China is an important interlocutor to address these dynamics. Our nations must think together to remain stable and guarantee peace.”

Key points of discussion

Economic cooperation: During her meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Meloni signed a three-year plan to strengthen economic cooperation. President Xi welcomed Italian companies to invest in China and expressed willingness to import more high-quality Italian products.

Global governance issues: The discussions between Meloni and Xi covered critical global governance issues, including the war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions and Indo-Pacific security. They also addressed topics like artificial intelligence, climate change and U.N. Security Council reform.

Xi Jinping said, “China and Italy should uphold the spirit of the Silk Road, fostering mutual development and ushering East-West relations into a new era.”

Strategic shifts, future outlook

Pro-Western foreign policy: Since coming to power in 2022, Meloni has pursued a more pro-Western and pro-NATO foreign policy. She described the previous government’s decision to join the BRI as a “serious mistake” and emphasized Italy’s desire for equal partnerships rather than hierarchical engagements.

Trade relations: Two-way trade between China and Italy reached $72.2 billion in 2023, making China Italy’s largest non-EU trading partner after the U.S. Despite withdrawing from the BRI, Italy continues to seek robust economic ties with China.

Regulatory actions: Italy has moved to block a Chinese state-owned company from controlling tire giant Pirelli and supported European Commission tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. These actions reflect Italy’s strategic efforts to balance economic interests with national security concerns.