China attaches importance to developing comprehensive strategic partnership with Italy and is willing to push forward Sino-Italian cooperation and friendship, said visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Rome Friday.

Wen made the remarks while meeting separately with Italian Senate Speaker Marcello Pera and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini to exchange views on bilateral ties and international issues of mutual concern.

During the meetings, Wen said both China and Italy are countries with ancient civilization. The exchanges and friendship between the two peoples dated back to 1,000 years ago. In recent years, bilateral political ties have been consolidated while the economic cooperation and trade has been expanded with bilateral trade volume surpassing US$10 billion last year.

"Sino-Italian economic cooperation and trade enjoys great potentials and broad prospects, Wen said. "And the two sides should further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture, education and tourism."

Italy's parliament has maintained friendly contacts with China's National People's Congress and the People's Political Consultation Conference, Wen said. There are no fundamental conflicts between China and Italy. And the two countries share identical interests on many issues.

"Both China and Italy should expand exchanges and cooperation based on mutual respect," said the Chinese premier who is in Rome on an official visit.

The two Italian speakers noted that Italy attaches importance to developing cooperation and friendship with China in many areas. China's economic development and prosperity has brought enormous commercial opportunities to Italy.

Due to the differences in historical background and cultural traditions, each county has its right to choose its own development path suitable to its basic condition. Countries with different social systems should respect each other, said the two speakers.

The Italian parliament is willing to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit, they added.

The Chinese premier arrived in Rome Thursday for an official visit as part of his 11-day European tour. Italy is the third country of his five-nation visit, which has taken him to Germany, Belgium and the European Union headquarters in Brussels. He will also visit Britain and Ireland.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2004)