ROME - The history of exchanges between China and Italy has fully demonstrated that openness, cooperation, and shared development are the right choices based on both countries' cultural heritage and practical needs, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Wednesday.

These choices serve the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides and reflect the shared aspirations of the two peoples, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when meeting with Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani.

Wang was in Rome to attend the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Wang said that for more than half a century, the two countries have carried out high-level and pragmatic cooperation, promoted high-quality cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and built a fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership.

Since last year, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have paid visits to China, respectively, and the two sides issued an action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said.

China is willing to work with Italy to strengthen confidence, eliminate interference, actively implement the action plan on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership, promote more achievements in bilateral cooperation and boost the economic development of the two countries, Wang added.

Wang noted that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Italy should maintain close exchanges, trust and support each other, and address each other's major concerns. China hopes and believes that Italy will continue to faithfully adhere to the one-China principle and consolidate the political foundation for the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

He called on the two countries to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries through concrete actions, and transform the good political will into the driving force for the development of China-Italy relations.

Wang recognized the important role of the China-Italy Government Committee, the first inter-governmental cooperation mechanism established between China and a European country, in promoting bilateral relations. The mechanism, which has now entered its 21st year, has won broad trust and support from various sectors of both countries.

He said that China is willing to actively explore cooperation potential with Italy in green, digital, aerospace, artificial intelligence and other fields, and provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment to encourage enterprises of the two countries to increase two-way investments.

The China-Italy Lin-gang Innovation Cooperation Park has been initially completed, the two sides jointly launched the Zhangheng 1-02 electromagnetic monitoring satellite, the double taxation agreement between China and Italy officially took effect, both sides have supported each other in promoting enterprises, and more than 70 Italian companies will participate in the 8th China International Import Expo, said Wang.

The two countries have launched the first batch of four classic literary works for mutual translation, over ten outstanding Chinese and Italian films have been screened in both countries, Shanghai and Shenzhen have respectively held twin-city events with Milan - the fashion design forum and the lifestyle week. China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for Italian citizens and will continue to extend it, welcoming more Italian friends to enjoy a spontaneous "journey to China", he added.

Wang also stressed that exchanges and mutual learning are important bonds that bring peoples together. The cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Italy are vibrant and fruitful, Wang said, citing that the two sides pioneered a friendship model between World Heritage sites, and Italy has twice returned Chinese lost cultural relics. The first China-Italy University Presidents' Forum will be held this year. The consecutive hosting of the Winter Olympic Games by Beijing and Milan has fostered closer cooperation between China and Italy in the ice and snow industry.

Italy has now become one of the European countries with the largest number of direct flights to China. Since China implemented a visa-free policy for Italy, the number of Italian visitors to China has doubled last year. China will continue to extend the visa-free policy for Italy, enabling more Marco Polos in the new era to embark on a journey to China whenever they wish, Wang added.

Wang noted that China and Italy, as representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, have made significant contributions to the development and progress of human society. The current international situation is complex, volatile, fraught with crises, but also opportunities. China and Italy should draw on and carry forward the successful experience of their exchanges to provide useful insights for the development of international relations.

At a time when the current international situation is undergoing rapid and profound changes, China-Italy cooperation is facing new situations, new opportunities and new challenges. China is willing to work with Italy to uphold the original aspiration of establishing the China-Italy Government Committee, adhere to principles while innovating, and promote the upgrading of the cooperation mechanism to version 2.0 which is more systematic, targeted and effective, so as to better align with the development strategy of China-Italy relations, the Chinese foreign minister said.

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Wang stressed that China and Italy should and are well placed to draw wisdom and inspiration from their rich histories, provide rational and practical solutions to global pressing challenges, join hands as a force for world peace and stability, and make unremitting efforts to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Tajani said Italy attaches great importance to its relations with China. The two sides have achieved remarkable cooperation results in various fields within the framework of the strategic partnership and have built a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship, he added.

He noted that economic and trade cooperation serves as a key driving force for the development of bilateral ties. He expressed the hope that both sides will enhance dialogue and exchanges through bilateral mechanisms such as the China-Italy Government Committee and the two countries' Joint Commission for Economic and Trade Cooperation, deepen practical cooperation, implement the three-year action plan well, and promote the continuous in-depth development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, Italy and China have established a comprehensive strategic partnership that has yielded tangible benefits for the two peoples, with the Italy-China Government Committee playing an important role in this process, Tajani said, adding that the outcomes of the meeting reflect the positive intentions of both parties.

Tajani also noted that China is among Italy's priority partners, and the Italian side attaches great importance to the vast opportunities offered by the Chinese market. Italy looks forward to further deepening exchanges and cooperation with China in economy and trade, investment, science and technology, culture and sports, and enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples. Italy is willing to join hands with China to uphold free trade, maintain the smoothness of the global supply chain, and make joint efforts to peacefully resolve international disputes through dialogue.

Italy is willing to expand mutual investment with China in both traditional and innovative sectors, expand exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, healthcare, tourism, culture and other fields, open more direct flights, and make good use of the opportunity of Italy hosting the Winter Olympics next year to strengthen mutual support, he said.

Italy welcomes more Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Italy and is willing to create a favorable environment for this purpose, he added.

Tajani said that Italy firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will never waver in this position. He noted that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding world peace and development. Italy stands ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China and to work together to promote the peaceful resolution of issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis, he said.