“We have an exchange that has doubled in the space of six years, from 2016 to 2022, going from 38 billion to 74 billion in 2022. With two observations: the first which is still below potential and therefore the desire to increase the trade flow; the other is the need for a rebalancing in the development of import-export commercial relationships. As with investments, we care very much about Chinese investments in Italy and we encourage Italians in China who have grown significantly very fast, they reached 15 billion in 2023. We hope that the Chinese ones can also grow quickly and these too are below the possible potential”. President Sergio Mattarella underlined this when he met Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing.
“Yesterday we registered full harmony and convergence of assessments with President Xi.” “There is a growth in the desire for mutual collaboration. An ancient relationship which – added the Head of State – today finds a full and collaborative current declination on the political level and on the international vision regarding the desire for peace, multilateralism, of openness in economic relations. This is why this visit is very important for me. There was a visit from Prime Minister Meloni a few months ago and it is completely unusual for the top leaders of our country to be present. This shows how important it is for we will increasingly develop relations with China.”
Mattarella, China must work to put an end to Russian aggression
“China is one of the fundamental protagonists of international life. I would like to express my expectation that it will use its great authority on the international stage to reiterate its traditional position in support of the norms of coexistence of the international community, working to put an end to the brutal Russian aggression against the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the first step towards a just peace on the basis of the principles of the United Nations Charter”. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, said this in a lectio magistralis at Beijing University.
Mattarella’s lectio magistralis at Beijing University: ‘Removing Chinese barriers to Italian products’
“China is, for Italy, the first economic partner in Asia. The constructive spirit that animates us calls for a balanced relationship that allows, with the removal of barriers that hinder access to the Chinese market for excellent Italian products, correspond to the expectations of Chinese consumers, who are increasingly demanding and attentive to quality. This applies to the approach in the financial sector, open to new Chinese investments – in a logic of transparency, concreteness and mutual benefit – which stimulate employment and generate growth in value and of skills”. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, said this in a lectio magistralis at Beijing University.
“No one in Europe, least of all Italy – stated Mattarella – imagines a season of protectionism. In line with this approach we believe that situations and procedures concerning a commercial sector – aimed at achieving fair and correct competition and in “the intention to reach mutually beneficial agreements – should not have repercussions on the commercial practices of other sectors. A fluid, responsible and in-depth dialogue between Beijing and the European Union, also in the political and strategic sphere, would represent a value”,
According to the President of the Republic, “a fluid, responsible and in-depth dialogue between Beijing and the European Union would represent a value. Furthermore, complex issues that concern us all require it. Among these – he notes – the protection and the promotion of the dignity of every person. Reaffirming principles that represent a safeguard of civility, regardless of political, economic or cultural contexts, does not express interference towards anyone, rather, an invitation – of universal value – for behaviors consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which commits the entire international community”.
“A fluid, responsible and in-depth dialogue between Beijing and the European Union would represent a value – underlines the head of state -. Furthermore, complex issues that concern us all require it. Among these, the protection and the promotion of the dignity of every person. Reaffirming principles that represent a safeguard of civility, regardless of political, economic or cultural contexts, does not express interference towards anyone, rather, an invitation – of universal value – for behaviors consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which commits the entire international community”.
