President of the Council Giorgia Meloni continued her institutional visit in China by meeting with Chen Jining, the Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai Municipality. The discussions focused on economic and trade relations with Shanghai Province, which hosts the largest Italian entrepreneurial community. Both parties expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as industry, innovation, tourism, and culture, with a particular emphasis on supporting and consolidating mutual investments, especially among Small and Medium Enterprises.
Meloni emphasized the importance of supporting Italian companies in China, stating that the goal is to enhance cooperation in economic, commercial, cultural, and scientific actions to help Italian businesses that have already invested in China, particularly in Shanghai. She highlighted the significant presence of Italian businesses in Shanghai and the long-standing partnership between the city and Milan. Meloni expressed hope that authorities could assist in implementing these efforts to further enhance bilateral relations and economic opportunities.
Chen Jining noted that nearly 1,200 Italian enterprises are located in Shanghai, constituting almost 20% of the total trade between China and Italy. He emphasized the city’s role as a major channel for importing goods from Italy and highlighted the commitment to further strengthen China-Italy cooperation. Jining praised Meloni’s decision to include Shanghai in her visit to China, underscoring the city’s importance and the close ties between the two countries, which share common interests and a deep foundation for collaboration.
The Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai Municipality highlighted the ancient civilizations and global strategic partnership between China and Italy, noting the continued development of bilateral relations in recent years. Both countries have significant common interests and a strong basis for cooperation. The discussions between Jining and Meloni reflected the commitment to deepening ties and exploring new opportunities for mutual benefit in various sectors.
In a show of support for Italian athletes participating in the Olympics, Meloni congratulated the Italian women’s fencing team on their historic gold medal victory. She expressed pride in their achievement and praised their performance. The premier’s words of encouragement and recognition highlighted the significance of their accomplishment on the global stage. Meloni’s support for Italian athletes in competitions resonated with the broader context of the visit to China and the focus on bilateral relations and cultural exchanges.
As the first mission in China for President Giorgia Meloni came to a close, she departed from Shanghai after a five-day stay in the country. After leaving China, Meloni headed to Paris with her daughter Ginevra to support the Italian team at the Olympics. The conclusion of the mission marked the end of a successful visit that included discussions on economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and support for Italian participants in global events like the Olympics. Meloni’s departure from China symbolized the completion of an important diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening ties with China and promoting Italian interests on the world stage.
