On October 8, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani met the press together in Rome.

Wang Yi said that the 12th Joint Meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee was a complete success, with both sides reaching important common understandings on fostering a more stable and fruitful China-Italy relationship. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Over the past 55 years, the steady and sound development of China-Italy relations has been based both on the accumulated legacy of historical exchanges and on the need for mutually beneficial cooperation. Mutual respect, openness, cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning are the shared principles of China and Italy, embodying the wisdom of two ancient civilizations. They not only provide a solid guarantee for the development of bilateral relations but also offer practical pathways for the international community to address the changes of the times.

Mutual respect is the right way for countries to get along with each other. Those who share similar ideals and values are friends, and those who seek common ground while reserving differences can also be friends. Difference in culture and system should not become obstacles to dialogue and cooperation. The key is to understand and support each other's core interests and legitimate concerns. China has always maintained that all countries, regardless of their size or strength, are equal members of the international community. Unilateralism and bullying should not be the defining feature of this era, and the international community can not repeat the mistakes of the law of the jungle. Treating each other as equals and engaging in dialogue and consultation are the only ways to resolve conflicts and differences.

Openness and win-win cooperation is the successful model for cooperation between countries. Both China and Italy support free trade and an open world economy. Bilateral trade volume has exceeded 70 billion U.S. dollars for consecutive years. Italy is a "kingdom of small and medium-sized enterprises", while China provides the most suitable and broadest platform for Italian enterprises to leverage their intelligence and talents. For 13 consecutive years, the two sides have jointly held the Week of Science, Technology and Innovation, providing sustained momentum for the two countries to strengthen trade, investment and technological cooperation. China will soon hold the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, launching the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for National Economic and Social Development. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading toward high-end, intelligent and green development, and promote high-standard opening-up of its super-large market, which is expected to provide a range of new opportunities for cooperation with countries, including Italy.

Exchanges and mutual learning are important bonds that bring peoples together. The people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Italy are vibrant and fruitful. 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 Yi said 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 and 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 references for the development of international relations. President Xi Jinping recently proposed the Global Governance Initiative and announced a new round of nationally determined contributions to addressing climate change, reflecting China's responsibility as a major country with a global vision for mutual prosperity, its firm commitment to multilateralism, and its support for the United Nations. China is ready to work with Italy to continue to be a constructive force for maintaining peace, stability, development and prosperity, promote international unity in addressing global challenges, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and jointly advance toward a community with a shared future for mankind.