Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has embarked on a significant diplomatic visit to Beijing, marking her first trip to China since taking office. This visit underscores a notable shift in Italy’s approach to its relationship with China, as Meloni seeks to “relaunch” bilateral ties following Italy’s exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) last year.
During the initial stages of her five-day visit, Meloni engaged in discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, culminating in the signing of a new three-year plan aimed at fortifying economic cooperation between the two nations. This agreement highlights a renewed focus on advancing partnerships in key sectors, including electric vehicles and renewable energy.
The move to enhance relations comes in the wake of Italy’s decision to withdraw from the BRI, an ambitious infrastructure and investment program spearheaded by President Xi Jinping. The previous Italian government’s participation in the BRI was heavily scrutinized, both domestically and internationally, with critics arguing that it failed to deliver tangible benefits to Italy. Meloni, who has been vocal about her predecessor’s alignment with the BRI, referred to it as a “serious mistake” and has since repositioned Italy’s foreign policy towards a more pro-Western stance.
In her statement, Meloni characterized her trip as a demonstration of Italy’s commitment to embarking on a new phase of bilateral cooperation with China. Premier Li echoed this sentiment, expressing a mutual desire to enhance collaboration, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, and to explore opportunities in shipbuilding, aerospace, new energy, and artificial intelligence.
Despite this diplomatic overture, Meloni’s tenure has seen Italy take a firmer stance on certain Chinese investments and trade practices. Notably, her administration has moved to prevent a Chinese state-owned enterprise from acquiring a controlling stake in the Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli and has supported European Commission measures to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
In the broader context of global trade, China remains Italy’s largest trading partner outside the European Union, with two-way trade reaching €66.8 billion ($56.3 billion) last year. As Italy navigates its evolving relationship with China, the emphasis appears to be on fostering a partnership that aligns with Italy’s strategic interests while balancing its pro-Western foreign policy orientation.
Meloni’s visit to Beijing represents a critical juncture in redefining Italy’s role on the international stage, aiming to balance economic interests with a cautious approach to geopolitical alignments.
