Italian President Meets with Chinese Vice Premier

China and Italy expressed the hope Tuesday in Rome to widen cooperative relations, especially in the field of cultural, scientific and technical exchange in the new century.

During a meeting with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, who arrived Tuesday from Greece for a five-day official visit to Italy, said that there are frequent high-profile exchange visits and cooperation between the two countries. Beijing and Rome share identical or similar views on many important international matters.

Li said that China attaches great importance to developing its economic and trade ties with Italy, which he said have been growing rapidly over recent years.

The Chinese vice-premier said that China has a huge market with a good environment for foreign investment while Italian enterprises have the advantage in capital, technology and management, adding that the exchange between the enterprises of the two countries should be encouraged.

Ciampi said the relation between Italy and China is developing smoothly. Bilateral trade cooperation has been growing rapidly in recent years. More and more Italian entrepreneurs would like to invest in China.

Ciampi expressed the hope that the two countries should further strengthen their friendly and harmonious relationship.

Li also met with former Italian Prime Minister Giuglio Andreotti.

( May 23, 2002)